Tanking is at the forefront of the NBA conversation as we come out of the All-Star break. With such a loaded class of draft prospects — where landing just one could change the fortunes of an entire franchise — the impetus to tank is clearly there. It doesn’t help that the association is full of bad teams this year already out of playoff contention. Multiple teams have been fined for tanking already and that number is sure to grow as injury reports get longer and longer.
The Golden State Warriors are in an interesting spot. Currently sitting as the No. 8 seed in the West at 29-27, the Warriors are five and a half games out of the No. 6 seed, the final playoff spot before the play-in tournament. Time is running out for Golden State to earn their way out of the play-in.
Golden State Warriors Owner Joe Lacob on Tanking in the NBA
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on January 05, 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
“Look, this season matters to the [Warriors] fans who bought tickets for this year,” Lacob said on Friday in an interview with Tim Kawakami. “Hopefully, they’ll be our fans next year as well, obviously. I think you should always be trying to win and do the best you can.
“I think you know, it is not in my DNA, nor in this organization’s DNA, to [tank],” Lacob said on the Warriors’ plans for the rest of the season. “It’s not a good look. This is sports. We’re supposed to play to win. And that’s just not a way I would be comfortable, ever, trying to improve our team.”
“Some of our fans, I’m sure — I hear it all the time — would love us to, whatever you want to call it, lose for a better draft position because they assume we’re not going to win this year,” Lacob continued. “I could never do that. And I don’t think our coach is built that way or our team.
“I don’t like it. It is happening, obviously, around the league. And it is a way to build a franchise, I guess, to get draft choices. But it also takes a lot of years to do that. So I’m sure there will be a day where we have to build our team through the draft more. But right now, I still think we’re formidable if we can just get healthy.”
Golden State Warriors Owner Joe Lacob on the Warriors’ Injuries
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 07: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Chase Center on January 07, 2026 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Combine Golden State’s record with the fact that Jimmy Butler is done for the year with a torn ACL and Steph Curry is out indefinitely, and it might seem like the time for the Warriors to consider tanking for a better draft pick to some.
But Warriors owner Joe Lacob is still optimistic his team can turn it around.
“I think we have a shot,” Lacob said on the Warriors. “I’m an optimist, as you know. I think our players, hopefully, will step up and play as best as we can, integrate [Kristaps] Porzingis, get Curry back, and hopefully we make a decent run.”
Warriors Owner Joe Lacob Sends Strong Message on Tanking