How bad has tanking gotten in the NBA, and is the NCAA feeding the problem?

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins discuss Jayson Tatum and his surprisingly fast potential return from an Achilles tear, comparing his recovery timeline to other notable NBA players and what modern rehab could mean for stars coming back from major injuries. From there, the discussion shifts to the broader issue of tanking across the NBA. The hosts examine whether the league’s competitive balance has been distorted by teams prioritizing draft positioning over winning, while highlighting organizations like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers as examples of franchises that have tried to maintain a winning culture rather than bottom out for lottery odds. The episode also explores the evolving relationship between college basketball and the NBA, including the growing impact of NIL deals, new anti-tanking measures around the league, and how shifting eligibility rules and draft decisions are changing the development pipeline for young players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices