NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference before 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome.
The NBA is ready to do something about tanking.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that commissioner Adam Silver told NBA general managers that the league plans to implement “anti-tanking rule changes for next season.”
The possible changes discussed this week and in January, per Charania, include:
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to media after the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
– First-round picks can be protected only in the top four or top-14-plus
– Lottery odds freeze at the trade deadline or a later date
– No longer allowing a team to pick top four in consecutive years and/or after consecutive bottom-three finishes
– Teams can’t pick top four the year after making conference finals
– Lottery odds allocated based on two-year records
– Lottery extended to include all play-in teams
– Flatten odds for all lottery teams
The reported crackdown comes as nearly a third of the league appears to be jockeying for draft position before a loaded 2026 class.
Talk of how to deal with tanking has taken over the NBA in recent weeks, and especially intensified after Silver fined the Jazz ($500,000) and Pacers ($100,000) for violating the NBA’s player participation policy last week.
“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” Silver said in a statement after doling out the punishments. “Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference before 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Silver appeared ready to tweak the current draft system, which incentivizes losing to land a higher draft pick, and, in turn, bring in young, star-level players, during a press conference over All-Star Weekend.
“We’ve got to look at some fresh thinking here,” Silver said. “What we’re doing, what we’re seeing right now is not working. There’s no question about it.”
Luka Doncic, driving to the basket against Philadelphia's Kelly Oubre Jr., is expected to play Friday when the Lakers resume play after the All-Star break against the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers had just completed practice Thursday with a full and healthy squad when Luka Doncic strolled over to speak with the media.
Doncic had played only five minutes Sunday for Team World in the All-Star Game because of a lingering left hamstring strain. He missed the previous four Lakers games.
With the Lakers' season scheduled to restart against the Clippers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, Doncic was asked if he would be playing.
“Probably,” he said. “We’ll see. I got to talk to people.”
Since Doncic practiced, he was asked how he was doing and how his hamstring felt.
“I’m good,” he said. “Feeling good.”
It was pointed out to Doncic that he did play in the All-Star Game, even if it was limited.
“Five minutes. I was on minutes restriction,” Doncic joked.
Lakers coach JJ Redick was the first to speak to the media after practice, his time away from the game leaving him fresh and ready to go.
He was asked whether Austin Reaves, who had been on a restriction of about 25 minutes after returning from a 19-game absence because of a calf strain, would still be on a minutes restriction and whether Doncic would be available against the Clippers.
“Austin won’t have a minutes restriction,” Redick said, “and as of 35 to 45 seconds ago, we’ll have everybody available tomorrow.”
Injuries have been common for the Lakers this season.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves sits on the scorer's table before entering a game this month. His minutes restriction since returning from a calf injury has been lifted. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
It started at the beginning of the season, when LeBron James missed 14 games because of sciatica. Recently he dealt with arthritis in his left foot that kept him out of a game.
Center Deandre Ayton missed the last two games because of right knee soreness.
"As a coach, you have zero control in that. As a player, you know what you do to prepare, and what you do to recover can give you some level of control, but ultimately, the basketball gods in the game are going to dictate health,” Redick said. “It's funny, we were talking before the season about building continuity with those three guys, and we've had them available together for 10 games. So it's just the situation we're in.
“Not the only team that has had a bunch of health issues throughout the season and had to manage that. But I think … my messaging this morning to the players was this is going to be a sprint, these last 28 games. It's another segment of the season where, starting tomorrow, we won't have more than a day between games until the end of March. So, we've got an opportunity to, I think, play our best basketball after the All-Star break. We've got a number of indicators on both sides of the ball that we're doing some things that are trending in the right direction. And I think it's coming at a good time, as we're getting fully healthy.”
Doncic, James and Reaves have combined to average 80.2 points per game, led by Doncic’s NBA-best 32.8 points. Reaves is averaging 25.4 points and James 22.
Reaves said it is “very important” that the three get reps together.
“You have those games from last year, but obviously you still have a learning curve of how to play alongside one another and that's with everybody else on the team as well,” Reaves said. “Continuing to build that continuity and confidence in every single position. We're locked in with the five guys on the court. So, very excited.
“I think you can tell throughout the season, even with the unfortunate injuries and stuff, we've done a good job of maintaining it. We're fifth in the West, on pace for a good record and just getting healthy is going to continue to help that. So it'll be fun to see what that looks like and get to work."
The Lakers (33-21) play four games next week, all against opponents with winning records that are jockeying for position in the playoff race: Sunday vs. Boston, Tuesday vs, Orlando, Thursday at Phoenix and Feb. 28 at Golden State.
So, Thursday’s practice was a good start for the Lakers to get back in gear.
“We only got one practice in so we’re not going to get a lot out of one practice,” Doncic said. “But we definitely like to get up and down a little bit after one week off. So, it was good.”
PALM SPRINGS, CA - OCTOBER 3: Austin Reaves #15, Jake Laravia #12, Deandre Ayton #5, and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench during the Preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on October 3, 2025 at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Even if it is well past the midway point of the season, the second-half push that comes after the All-Star break is very real. With the playoffs quickly approaching, the sense of urgency builds and crescendos throughout the postseason.
For the Lakers, a rocky January dropped them into a crowded pack in the middle of the standings. Only three games separate the No. 3 seed Denver Nuggets and the No. 7 seed Phoenix Suns with the Lakers positioned right in the middle at the No. 5 seed.
With no only home court advantage at stake, but a fight to remain out of the play-in, the Lakers could not have gotten healthy at a better time. With their full roster available to them, LA is going to have everything needed to make a push.
The question is, who are the most important players in their final 28 games of the regular season and ensuing postseason run?
Austin Reaves
Luka Dončić and LeBron James can be the de facto answers to this question, but that’s also a given. If their superstars don’t show up, they’re in trouble.
But Reaves is still a pretty big x-factor. For one, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen the version of Austin Reaves who was consistently putting up 25 points per night. While he did have a 35-point game off the bench recently and was limited by a minutes restriction prior to the All-Star break, the last time he had back-to-back 25-point games was in early December in Toronto and Boston.
With his minutes restriction lifted, the Lakers need the best Reaves to show up again. But he, too, also has some demons to slay from last year’s playoffs as well. His rather woeful showing against the Wolves in the playoffs — where he was hampered by a toe injury — played a notable role in the team’s quick exit.
If Reaves is back to his best, the Lakers have an elite offense and can cause problems for any team. Without him at his best, they become very beatable very quick.
Deandre Ayton
It’s been a roller coaster season for Ayton, who flew out of the gates and looked like a steal and potential long-term solution at center for the Lakers.
In his first 23 games, he averaged 15.3 points, 9 rebounds and shot 71% from the field as the Lakers jumped out to an 18-7 record.
But things have changed quite a bit since then.
A drop in production has led to a drop in minutes and, often, Ayton watching from the bench in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. In those first 23 games, he averaged 29.4 minutes per game and, more specifically, 7.2 minutes per fourth quarter.
In the 23 games since, everything has gotten worse. He’s averaging only 11.2 points and 8 rebounds, now on 63% shooting. His overall minutes have dropped to 27.2 per game and he’s only playing 5.2 minutes in fourth quarters on average.
The best version of the Lakers also includes an engaged, involved and active Ayton. They had that early in the year but lost it somewhere along the way in that aforementioned rocky January.
Everyone saw what happened last year when the Lakers lacked a reliable center in the playoffs. Will things keep trending in that direction for the remainder of the second half of the season or will Ayton find his early-season form once more?
The return of Reaves to the starting lineup, a pick-and-roll partner he had great chemistry with, should help things. But it’s also on Ayton to step up and get back to that level, too, or risk really damaging his standing not just with the Lakers, but within the NBA.
Ayton spoke in the offseason about the importance of this season in regard to how he’s viewed around the league. Not since his run to the Finals has there been a more important stretch in Ayton’s career.
Jake LaRavia
Realistically, I think you could make an argument for any of Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and LaRavia as the most important.
Smart seems like the frontrunner, for now, to remain in the starting lineup with everyone healthy while Rui will have the Sixth Man role locked down in the meantime. That leaves LaRavia, who has fluctuated between looking like a nailed-on fifth starter and unplayable at times this season.
Unfortunately, it’s been more of the latter as the season has progressed. The most notable struggles this season have been from range where he’s shooting 32.6%, a career-worst mark.
The Lakers also showcased a remarkably thin bench last season. LaRavia was brought in as part of an upgrade and a long-term play over Dorian Finney-Smith. He’s shown flashes of potential, but the Lakers need consistency and production.
For a bench that has ranked at the bottom of the league in scoring, LaRavia could be a big spark in the big games alongside Rui. But he is going to have to start producing offensively.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs posts up on Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the Emirates NBA Cup game at Footprint Center on December 03, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Spurs 104-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Devin Booker and the Suns seek their third win over the Spurs this season.
The last time Stephen Curry stepped on an NBA court, it was still January. He missed the Warriors' five games before the All-Star break, then did not play in the All-Star Game itself in Los Angeles, although he did hit one impressive shot. Curry is officially listed as out for Thursday night's game against the Celtics due to patellofemoral pain syndrome (commonly called "runner's knee"). That brings him to 17 games missed this season. If Curry misses one more game, he will not meet the league's 65-game threshold to qualify for postseason awards.
Curry had an MRI on his knee in the past 24 hours that came back clean, reports Anthony Slater at ESPN. Despite that, it seems likely he will miss more time this season as he tries to get his knee right.
Curry remains the hub of the Warriors' offense, especially with Jimmy Butler out for the season after tearing his ACL. Curry is averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists a game, shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc. Without Curry or Butler on the floor, Golden State has a 108.1 offensive rating, which would be the worst in the league. The Warriors, at 29-26, sit as the No. 8 seed in the West.
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 24: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 24, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Brooklyn Nets tonight. Open threads used to be a big part of the community that we had at Fear the Sword. That has slowly drifted away over the past few seasons. We want to change that.
The open threads are back starting now. I’ll be in the comments throughout the game. Come talk to me there!
Los Angeles Lakers are naming Lon Rosen as president of business operations, the team announced via press release on Thursday morning.
It's a homecoming of sorts for Rosen, who started his career as an intern at the Forum and worked his way up the ladder to director of promotions for the Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, and special events from 1980-1987. Since 2012, he's been the executive president and chief marketing officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"For many years, I have seen the impact that Lon has had in our industry," Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in the statement. "Over that time, I have learned that not only is Lon a great person, but he also has a deep understanding of both sports and entertainment and a true feel for where this business is headed."
In addition to his ties to new Lakers majority owner Mark Walter, who also owns the Dodgers, Rosen is also a longtime business partner of Magic Johnson, who, according to his bio on the Dodgers staff directory, was his first client after leaving the Lakers to start his sports marketing company. Rosen previously worked for Magic Johnson Enterprises before taking the Dodgers job 14 years ago.
Earlier this week, Tim Harris, the team's current president of business ops, informed staff that this would be his final season after over 35 years with the Lakers organization. A member of Buss' inner circle, Harris was considered instrumental in the Lakers' $3 billion, 20-year local broadcast rights deal with Charter Communications that created Spectrum SportsNet.
"I'm beyond grateful to Mark and Jeanie for trusting me with this incredible opportunity," Rosen said in the statement. "As everyone knows, the economics of the sports business are constantly changing -- and they will continue to do so.
"But, at root, my job is a simple one: figuring out how to do right by our employees and our partners while ensuring that the Lakers continue to provide an unparalleled experience for our fans in Los Angeles and around the world."
The team's front office overhaul in the aftermath of Walter's $10 billion purchase looks like it's starting to take shape. The entire scouting department was let go in November, which included Joey and Jesse Buss. The Athletic's Dan Woike reported last week that the Lakers are set to make "significant hires to a wide range of front-office positions this summer" and model themselves after the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers executive Lon Rosen is moving into the Los Angeles Lakers ' front office in the latest significant change for the 17-time NBA champion organization following its sale last year.
Rosen will be the Lakers' president of business operations, the team announced Thursday. He replaces Tim Harris, who is planning to step down after 35 years with the Lakers.
Rosen has been the Dodgers' executive vice president and chief marketing officer since 2012, the same year Mark Walter purchased the baseball team. The Dodgers have become a powerhouse under Walter's ownership on and off the field, amassing star-studded rosters that have won three of the last six World Series.
“Finding someone who could fill Tim’s shoes overseeing the business side of our organization would never be easy,” Buss said in a statement. “The answer, we soon realized, was someone both Mark and I knew well — and who already understood the values, culture and commitment to excellence of both the Dodgers and the Lakers.”
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said earlier this month that his team will begin to emulate aspects of the Dodgers' successful front-office structure. The Lakers have long been perceived as running one of the NBA's thinner front offices, and Pelinka said Walter's Lakers intend to add depth and talent across their off-the-court organization.
Rosen actually began his sports career with the 1980s Showtime Lakers as an intern and a front office executive. He went on to become an agent and a business partner of Magic Johnson before joining the Dodgers.
Jeanie Buss' younger brothers, Joey and Jesse, left their front-office positions a few weeks after Walter finalized his purchase. Jeanie Buss will remain the Lakers' governor under Walter's ownership for the foreseeable future.
Things have gone downhill for the Golden State Warriors ever since Jimmy Butler got hurt in January, and that’s been compounded by Steph Curry missing the last five games.
The Warriors are hoping the potential debut of Kristaps Porzingis will help, but either way, the Dubs are in for a tough night against the Boston Celtics.
My Celtics vs. Warriors predictions and NBA picks break down why buckets will be hard to come by for the home team, with tip-off set for 10:00 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday, February 19.
Celtics vs Warriors best bet: Warriors team total Under 103.5 (-115)
Thanks to injuries and roster movement, this Golden State Warriors team has plenty of issues.
None are more glaring than its ability to generate offense when Steph Curry isn’t on the floor. Golden State ranks 27th in offensive rating, scoring just 104.2 points per game in the five games without Steph.
Tonight, the Warriors host a Boston Celtics team that continues to thrive without Jayson Tatum. Boston ranks ninth in defensive rating and third in opponent effective field-goal percentage.
Bet on the Dubs to finish under their team total in this one.
Celtics vs Warriors same-game parlay
Steph being out means fewer buckets. Jimmy Butler being out means less defense.
The Warriors are suddenly struggling in all areas of the game, ranking 27th in rebounding rate and 25th in opponent assists per possession since Butler went down.
Golden State’s best interior presence right now is Draymond Green, which will open the door for Nikola Vucevic to control the paint.
Meanwhile, Payton Pritchard has been racking up the dimes, recording seven or more assists in five of his last seven contests.
Celtics vs Warriors SGP
Warriors team total Under 103.5
Nikola Vucevic Over 8.5 rebounds
Payton Pritchard Over 5.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double trouble
Let’s take Vucevic to not only eclipse his rebounding prop but to record a double-double as well — something he’s done in two of his first three games as a member of the Celtics.
The Warriors are 3-8 ATS since Jimmy Butler tore his ACL. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Warriors.
How to watch Celtics vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Celtics vs Warriors latest injuries
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Team USA Stripes drinks water at a press conference before the 75th NBA All-Star game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a very long hiatus, we’re going to bring back the mailbag for the second half of this season and heading into a very important and likely franchise-altering offseason.
We’re also going to change things up a bit. There won’t be a full week between the questions and the answers as it limited what types of questions you guys could ask. We’re going to send out the call for questions on Thursdays and follow up with the mailbag piece over the weekend.
There are surely plenty of questions you guys surely have with the All-Star break and trade deadline freshly in the rear view mirror as well. The Lakers are also shaking things up in the front office, another storyline to watch heading into the offseason.
So, fire those questions in. Whether that’s on the court, off the court, tactics, whatever it may be for the Lakers or Sparks or the NBA in general, let’s have them. As always, keep things friendly along the way!
The Lakers have hired Lon Rosen as the franchise’s president of business operations, the team announced Thursday.
Rosen replaces Tim Harris, longtime president of business operations, after Harris announced in an email to colleagues earlier in the week that he was stepping down from the role he had for over 30 years.
Dodgers president Stan Kasten (left) and executive VP Lon Rosen before a game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Rosen has been the Dodgers’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer since 2012.
Lakers owner Mark Walter, who acquired majority ownership of the franchise from the Buss family in October, is also the controlling owner of the Dodgers.
Rosen started his career with the Lakers as an intern while in college before becoming a front office executive in the 1980s, eventually becoming an agent and business executive.
“For many years, I have seen the impact that Lon has had in our industry,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “Over that time, I have learned that not only is Lon a great person, but he also has a deep understanding of both sports and entertainment and a true feel for where this business is headed.
Lon Rosen walks past Dodgers fans during day two of spring training at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Buss added: “Finding someone who could fill Tim’s shoes overseeing the business side of our organization would never be easy. The answer, we soon realized, was someone both Mark and I knew well — and who already understood the values, culture and commitment to excellence of both the Dodgers and the Lakers.”
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Dodgers executive Lon Rosen, shown at spring training in 2024, will become the Lakers' new president of business operations, the team announced Thursday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
As the Lakers prepare to enter the stretch run of the NBA season, the team announced that Lon Rosen will replace Tim Harris as president of business operations.
Rosen, who has been an executive vice president and chief marketing officer with the Dodgers since 2012 when Mark Walters and Guggenheim Baseball Management purchased the club, worked for the Lakers as an intern while in college and eventually became an executive with the organization in the 1980s.
"For many years, I have seen the impact that Lon has had in our industry," Jeanie Buss, Lakers governor and minority owner, said in a statement released by the team. "Over that time, I have learned that not only is Lon a great person, but he also has a deep understanding of both sports and entertainment and a true feel for where this business is headed.”
Harris announced this week to colleagues that he would be stepping down at the end of this season, according to the team's statement. He was part of the management team that negotiated a $3-billion, 20-year deal with Charter Communications to create Spectrum SportsNet for the Lakers in 2012.
Rosen, who eventually became an agent and sports business leader, helped the Dodgers increase revenue during a period in which they won three World Series championships.
“I’m beyond grateful to Jeanie and Mark for trusting me with this incredible opportunity,” Rosen said in the statement released by the Lakers. “As everyone knows, the economics of the sports business are constantly changing — and they will continue to do so.
“But, at root, my job is a simple one: figuring out how to do right by our employees and our partners while ensuring that the Lakers continue to provide an unparalleled experience for our fans in Los Angeles and around the world. I look forward to working alongside Jeanie, Rob and the whole front-office team to make that happen.”
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 4: The sneakers worn by Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 4, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
