With the NBA on the brink of implementing new anti-tanking measures, the Chicago Bulls find themselves at a critical crossroads. This could very well be their final shot at embracing the infamous “tank race” before the league clamps down on such strategies.
The Bulls were fashionably late to the rebuilding party, but at least they arrived with some snacks in hand. After years of reluctance to overhaul their roster, executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas finally pulled the trigger in early February. In a flurry of trades, the team shipped out seven players, netting a collection of second-round picks and a handful of young talents looking for a new beginning. The returns were modest, underscoring how long the organization dragged its feet on this inevitable reset. Still, it’s a step forward—better late than never.
Beyond the immediate assets acquired, this roster shakeup could pay dividends come May during the NBA Draft Lottery. Since the trade deadline, Chicago’s lottery odds have improved noticeably. They’ve slipped to the 9th-worst record in the league, overtaking the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks in the standings.
If the lottery were held today, the Bulls would boast a 20.3% chance at landing a Top 4 pick and a 4.5% shot at the No. 1 overall selection. Those probabilities jump to 26.3% and 6.0%, respectively, if they can drop below the Memphis Grizzlies, who currently hold the 8th spot—just 2.5 games behind Chicago.
Historically, the Bulls’ front office at the Advocate Center has shunned the idea of tanking, prioritizing “competitive integrity” above all. But with the winds shifting, diving headfirst into a rebuild might be the smartest play, especially as this could mark the end of an era for such tactics.
The NBA’s Anti-Tanking Push: A Game-Changer on the Horizon
If the Bulls were still waffling on fully committing to the tank—hinted at by the recent complications surrounding Jaden Ivey—the league’s latest developments should seal the deal.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is poised to roll out anti-tanking rules, potentially as early as next season. Silver briefed the league’s 30 governors on impending changes, which could include freezing lottery odds at the All-Star break, barring teams from Top 4 picks in back-to-back years, basing odds on two-year records, or even flattening the lottery odds entirely. Charania detailed an even broader array of proposals in his ESPN report.
This crackdown follows recent penalties: the Utah Jazz were fined $500,000 for alleged tanking practices, while the Indiana Pacers faced a $100,000 hit. At All-Star Weekend, Silver voiced concerns that tanking has escalated this season, prompting urgent action.
For a franchise like the Bulls, traditionally averse to long-term losing, this could be a silver lining. Mediocre seasons might not sting as badly under a more equitable system. However, if Chicago was ready to join the ranks of teams that have benefited from strategic losing—like those who’ve rebuilt through high draft picks—the timing is unfortunate.
Skeptics question whether any new rule can fully eradicate tanking in a non-flat lottery setup, as incentives for poor performance will persist. Nonetheless, these changes are sure to complicate the process, making now the ideal time for the Bulls to capitalize while it’s still relatively straightforward.
Can the Bulls Close the Gap?
Only 2.5 games separate the Bulls from those coveted 8th-best odds. Catching up won’t be easy, but recent form suggests it’s possible. Chicago has dropped 10 of their last 11 games and hasn’t strung together consecutive wins in almost a month. As the revamped roster gels, improvements could emerge—but so far, the signs point downward.
This downward spiral might just be the ticket to lottery gold. With the NBA’s anti-tanking hammer about to fall, the Bulls should ride this wave while they can. It’s not just about this season; it’s about securing a foundational piece for the future before the rules rewrite the playbook.
In the end, the Bulls’ late pivot to rebuilding could prove timely. By embracing the tank now, they position themselves to benefit from the current system one last time. The clock is ticking—will Chicago fully commit, or risk missing out forever?