Although tanking has always been a controversial topic in the NBA, the discussion intensified during NBA All-Star weekend. In fact, the NBA has even issued punishments regarding the issue.
Many agree the NBA needs to address its tanking problem, but former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who is still a minority owner, doesn’t see it as a problem.
Mark Cuban Believes There Are Bigger Issues Than Tanking
Cuban is one of the most well-known owners in league history, and he thinks there are far bigger issues in the league than tanking. In fact, he is much more worried about the fan experience. He believes the most important thing is creating a fun environment for fans.
“When I got into the nba, they thought they were in the basketball business,” Cuban explained. “They aren’t. They are in the business of creating experiences for fans. Few can remember the score from the last game they saw or went to. They can’t remember the dunks or shots. What they remember is who they were with. Their family, friends, a date. That’s what makes the experience special.”
According to Cuban, the fans know just how difficult it is to bring a title home. “Fans know their team can’t win every game,” Cuban explained. “They know only one team can win a ring. What fan that care about their team’s record want is hope. Hope they will get better and have a chance to compete for the playoffs and then maybe a ring.”
Cuban believes the most proven way to put a winner on the floor is to acquire a star through the draft, trades, and free agency.
Why the NBA should embrace tanking –
The NBA has kate been misguided thinking that fans want to see their teams compete every night with a chance to win. It’s never been that way that way.
When I got into the nba, they thought they were in the basketball business. They…
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) February 17, 2026
“The one way to get closer to that is via the draft,” Cuban said. “And trades. And cap room. You have a better chance of improving via all 3, when you tank.”
There are clearly issues with tanking, and sometimes the lottery flat-out doesn’t work, but Cuban is right that several teams have been able to rebuild with top-overall picks. In fact, his former team is doing it right now.
Although the Mavericks did not officially tank last season, they did trade their best player, star guard Luka Dončić, and wound up winning the lottery and selecting Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who is having a fantastic season.
The Mavericks have now shipped off Anthony Davis, their prize in the Dončić trade, and have seemingly ‘embraced’ the situation themselves. Cuban argues the biggest issue with the NBA is the fan experience and the high cost of bringing your family to a game.
“The nba should worry more about fan experience than tanking,” Cuban said. “It should worry more about pricing fans out of games than tanking. You know who cares the least about tanking , a parent who cant afford to bring their 3 kids to a game and buy their kids a jersey of their fave player Tanking isn’t the issue. Affordability and quality of game presentation are.”
Although there may be plenty of issues with tanking, Cuban’s point is well taken.
