Feb 14, 2026
3 min read
The Jazz were fined $500,000 after the team rested starters in games against the Magic and Heat, as a way to discourage tanking after weeks of criticism from Utah over its handling of its players.
- The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for resting players during games.
- Coach Will Hardy mentioned limited rest time for Lauri Markkanen and others.
- Critics say tanking destroys the integrity of the NBA;other teams face similar scrutiny.
SALT LAKE CITY - Adam Silver and the NBA didn't like the way the Utah Jazz rested their star players in the fourth quarter last week, even in a game the team won.
The NBA fined Utah $500,000 for "harming the league" on Thursday night in connection with the team's recent play against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 7 and the Miami Heat on Feb. 9, in which Will Hardy sat Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of two games.
The NBA also fined the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for benching multiple players against the Jazz on Feb. 3.The NBA said it investigated and determined that Pascal Siakam and two other starters can play under the league's medical standards.
Jackson was ruled out for the season Thursday after a growth was discovered on his left knee.The growth — pigmented villonodular synovitis — was discovered on an MRI during his physical exam at his Utah dealership, and would require surgery to prevent any future damage.
Jazz knew about JJJ's knee before.They were going to close it.Jaren was adamant that he wanted to play one game at home before surgery.He was limited to 25 minutes.That's one of the reasons he hasn't played the previous four quarters, according to a source
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) February 12, 2026
When asked if he had any thoughts on the organization's fine, Hardy said, "No."
"I went to Lowry because he had a minute limit," Hardy said.If our medical team puts Lori on a minute limit, I will try to keep Lori healthy.
Earlier this week, Utah's "tank" strategy drew ire and criticism from media outlets across the country, most notably ESPN's Bobby Marks, who said that what the Jazz were doing was "questioning the integrity of the NBA."
Jazz owner Ryan Smith took to social media platforms
- Oh no it's not (@ohnohedidnt24) February 10, 2026
"Personally, I think what Utah is doing right now is undermining the integrity of the NBA" pic.twitter.com/7KBRrt2Auq
The problem is, Utah wasn't the only team to move players out of their lineup this season (or in previous seasons) in a speculated attempt to get a better spot in the upcoming draft class of stars.
The management and lineup choices of teams like Washington, Brooklyn and even Sacramento (which was quite effective against the Jazz on Wednesday) show that what the Jazz have is not that different from other teams around the NBA.
Hey Bobby… this might sit.You don't know what it's like to pay for it and your amnesia this week is hilarious.https://t.co/NTFHgaPr7F
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) February 13, 2026
The Kings were without six key rotation players in Wednesday's loss to the Jazz, and the Wizards have yet to see Terry Young play his first game since acquiring him from the Hawks on Jan. 9.
Washington traded for Dallas big man Anthony Davis before the trade deadline, but he has dealt with numerous injuries this season and won't officially be out until the end of the season.
Many other teams not currently in the playoffs are holding on to their best players due to reports of injuries coming off and possibly manipulating the roster in some way.
After making the trade that signaled the end of the team's rebuild, the Jazz appear to have been punished for their decision to sit the team's winning starter in the fourth quarter of the game.
The Jazz were fined $500,000 and the Pacers $100,000.However, these are not the only tank teams.But it's hard to prove...
- Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) February 13, 2026
- If the Bucks milk the return of Giannis
-If Memphis does this with Ede and Morant
-If Trae is healthy enough for his Wizards debut
-If the Bulls, Mavs, Nets,… https://t.co/9j9K3x4yBU
The current top two seeds in the Western Conference built their team by "playing" and getting lucky in the NBA draft lottery.The Oklahoma City Thunder, who are interested in this year's Utah selection, fielded a roster of G League-level players, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sitting on the bench.
The San Antonio Spurs were able to advance in the NBA draft lottery to select general talent Victor Vembanyama.
Golden State Warriors coach Draymond Green said Friday on his webcast: "Utah has to stay in the top eight or their pick will go to Oklahoma City. So Sam Presti is upset about what Utah is doing.
Brian Windhorst appeared on ESPN's "Part One" on Friday and talked about "tanking" in the NBA.
"I give tankers a pass... They are incentivized to do it," he said."So I'm establishing that these are good people who are good at their jobs and they have to make bad decisions."
.@WindhorstESPN will allow "tankers"?👀
— First Take (@firsttake) February 13, 2026
"I'm giving the tankers a pass. ... They're incentivized to do this. Therefore, I am determining that these are good people who are good at their jobs having to make bad decisions." pic.twitter.com/Rpo5smsnyU
What the Jazz choose to do the rest of the season will likely be determined by what has the best long-term outcome for the organization.For small-market teams, building through the draft and making calculated trades is the clear path to becoming a contender in today's NBA.
The small sample size of what Jackson shared with his frontcourt mate Markkanen and the emergence of Keyonte George this season should give Utah fans hope for next season, even if it means meeting again in what appears to be the end of the organization's rebuilding effort.
