Throughout this NBA season, discussions about preventing teams from affecting game outcomes by benching healthy players. The practice, known as tanking, helps teams improve their draft odds, by losing games.
The goal is to obtain a higher draft pick. With that said, the Memphis Grizzlies are attempting a move that set the social media world ablaze.
NBA Social Media Erupts Over Memphis Grizzlies Sitting 12 Players
With a record of 25-55, the Grizzlies currently occupy the No. 12 spot in the Western Conference playoff standings. With two games remaining, Memphis will not make the playoffs. As a result, the Grizzlies made 12 players inactive for their game against the Utah Jazz. The messages across social media exploded from that point.
The Grizzlies have 12 players listed as OUT, 1 as Doubtful, and 2 as Questionable tonight against the Jazz.
That’s over $128.2M worth of salaries listed as OUT for the Grizzlies.
At this point, I really have no idea who is actually playing for this team anymore.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 10, 2026
“The Grizzlies have 12 players listed as OUT, 1 as Doubtful, and 2 as Questionable tonight against the Jazz. That’s over $128.2M worth of salaries listed as OUT for the Grizzlies.
At this point, I really have no idea who is actually playing for this team anymore,” Brett Siegel said.
By benching their top dozen players, Memphis will presumably field a team of either mostly unknowns or players in the twilight of their careers. To many, this move feels like the organization gave up on the rest of the season.
While the fans who buy tickets appear to be affected the most, the media covering games with tanking allegations force reporters to dig deep for background and backstory to fill paragraphs and produce team-oriented content.
As someone who covers the nba as well, I’ve had multiple times where I’ve gone “WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!” Seeing some of these tanking lineups
— Sean Murphy (@seanhalfcourt) April 10, 2026
“As someone who covers the nba as well, I’ve had multiple times where I’ve gone “WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!” Seeing some of these tanking lineups,” said Sean Murphy.
Depending on your viewpoint, the outcome of this game will affect the NBA draft. As this tweet states, the result of tonight’s contest will change the face of the draft order, regardless of outcome.
Windhorst: Game of the night: Grizzlies vs Jazz: “A game no one wants to win. If Memphis wins this game they could lose 7% chance at the top-4. If Utah wins this game they could lose 10% … This is going to be theater.”pic.twitter.com/yjI8jcJAXL
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 10, 2026
“Windhorst: Game of the night: Grizzlies vs Jazz: “A game no one wants to win. If Memphis wins this game they could lose 7% chance at the top-4. If Utah wins this game they could lose 10% … This is going to be theater,” Bucks fan ‘MrBuckBuck wrote.
Normally, three or four players, primarily bench players, will be deactivated with the notation “DNP-CD.” In the box score, that phrase indicates that a player did not participate due to a coach’s decision. Under those circumstances, the player is not injured. Instead, the coach decided against seeing court time.
Status Report: @memgrizz at @utahjazz, April 10 pic.twitter.com/u7Jxuc3SSn
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) April 9, 2026
“Status Report: @memgrizz at @utahjazz, April 10
According to Tankathon, which provides updates on draft order, Utah is No. 4. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies hover at No. 6. As mentioned, the NBA continues to try to legislate against tanking by imposing what they believe are harsh punishments to deter teams that want to lose on purpose. Will this game justify implementing more rules?
