Utah Jazz Fined $100k By NBA For Attempting To Tank

There is a big prize waiting for the team that ends up with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Utah Jazz are apparently looking to have a shot at landing Cooper Flagg, and are doing what they can to make that a possibility. That includes resting healthy players, which is against league rules, and the team has been fined $100,000 because of it.

NBA Fines Jazz $100k For Apparent Tanking

In order to combat purposeful tanking, the NBA changed their draft order rules recently. Instead of the team with the worst record having the best chance in the lottery, the bottom three teams now have an equal 14% shot at nabbing the number one pick. The Jazz have been near to or a part of that bottom three for essentially the entire 2024-25 season, and have recently made some questionable roster decisions in order to remain in range.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the league would be handing down a hefty fine to the franchise for those decisions. In a press release, the NBA revealed that they had fined the Jazz $100,000 for the violation of the league’s Play Participation Policy. The statement specifically cited Utah’s failure to make forward Lauri Markkanen available for the March 5th game against the Washington Wizards (who are also at the bottom of the standings), as well as other recent games.

The following was released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/3ZWfcek7lT

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 12, 2025

The trend has been easy to spot since the beginning of March. The starting trio of Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Lauri Markkanen have combined to play just one game over the last 12 days, with the latter two yet to see any action yet this month.

On Tuesday, the Jazz released their injury report a day ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Clarkson and Markkanen were once again listed as questionable, and were joined in that status by Jaden Springer. Keyonte George was listed as doubtful.

It seems as though the handing down of the fine money worked. Within minutes of the announcement, Utah posted their updated injury report, announcing that Clarkson, Markkanen, and Springer would all be good to go on Wednesday night.

Entering the day, the Jazz had the second-worst record in the NBA (15-50), ahead of only the Washington Wizards (13-51). The Charlotte Hornets round out the top-3 at 16-48, but only one game separates them and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Utah will close out the week by taking on the Toronto Raptors on Friday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.