Gambling concerns could be inspiring NBA's anti-tanking efforts

Commissioner Adam Silver has to balance the NBA's interests

The rise of gambling and the NBA's embrace of gambling companies creates a precarious position for the league. There's increased interest in the NBA due to betting and increased revenue as well, but the league has to worry about the negative influence of so much wagering.

Already, the NBA gave Jontay Porter a lifetime ban for violating their gambling rules. They're still investigating allegations of gambling involving Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat and the still-unsigned Malik Beasley. Porter and Rozier allegedly alerted bettors they would be leaving NBA games early with supposed injuries so they would bet the under on their totals.

What tanking teams are doing is far different. They're angling for better draft position, or in the case of the Jazz and Pacers, to make sure they keep their protected picks. From a gambling perspective, the effect is the same — the integrity of bets involving tanking teams is compromised.

It's also an opportunity for anyone with advance knowledge of these tanking efforts to cash in. Essentially, any time there's a gap in the public's knowledge and insider's information about NBA players, it's rife for exploitation.

Silver's concern should be for fans and the competitiveness of late-season basketball. But now that the NBA has become deeply involved with gambling companies, the sportsbooks' interests are also the league's interests. Unless the NBA is willing to forego that income, expect these harsh anti-tanking measures to continue.