Draymond Green knows how to fix the NBA's tanking problem

While tanking isn't a new issue, it has become the talk of the hour in the NBA this season.

At least one-third of the league seems to be disinterested in winning games. That's not uncommon, but it's been going on since the season's halfway point. Clearly, it has reached a critical point.

The league is reportedly taking measures to address this problem, but Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green believes they're just overthinking it.

Following his team's win over the Sacramento Kings, the former Defensive Player of the Year had a rather simple solution: start messing with the team's pockets.

Draymond Green wants the NBA to fine tanking teams

“I think I get fined when I do wrong,” Green said, per Nick Friedell of The Athletic. “Just fine the hell out of people. We love taking money from players, keep fining the teams. I’ve seen two fines. And we all know everybody tanking. But you’ve seen two fines.”

Green, one of the league's fieriest and most vocal players, urged the league to hold teams accountable in the same way it does players. He noted the double standard and how they don't seem to keep the same energy when it comes to team owners.

“If it was players (the NBA) would have snatched that money in a heartbeat,” Green continued. “Why isn’t it the same? Everybody love money. The punishment for players is always, let’s take the money. Well, now it becomes time to punish teams and all of a sudden nobody don’t know what to do. Why not? We know exactly what to do when somebody gets a technical foul. Or suspended for a game. We know exactly what to do.”

The NBA needs to figure out a solution

The league already fined the Utah Jazz for sitting their starters late in a game they ironically won, so there's precedent.

While tanking has worked for some organizations to different degrees, it may have gotten out of control.

Granted, it might also have plenty to do with an NBA Draft class that's stacked with talent in the top five. Also, the new CBA makes it tougher to stack big contracts, so getting star rookies might be the only way to build a contender.

Altering the lottery odds didn't have the desired effect, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver will have to figure out a way to untangle this mess before it keeps hurting the credibility, integrity and quality of the product.