The Utah Jazz were fined for sitting stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. late in two recent games. Here's what the NBA and Jazz owner Ryan Smith had to say about the decision.

The NBA has frowned on teams that appear to be tanking for a high pick, and the league implemented a player participation policy in September 2023 to try to discourage clubs from losing on purpose. Teams could face league discipline if star players don't suit up for certain games.

The Thunder can get the Jazz's pick if it falls outside of the top-8, and they're putting pressure on them to play the season out.

Utah head coach Will Hardy said he sat Markkanen against the Magic and Heat because Markkanen was on a minutes restriction, and Hardy said he’d continue to do so if instructed by the medical team. “So if our medical team puts a minutes restriction on Lauri, I’ll try to keep Lauri healthy,” Hardy said.

Kendrick Perkins calls out Jazz and Pacers amid tanking allegations, urging the NBA to crack down on teams “throwing games.”

The Jazz may have been fined, but they stand out as a clear winner of the 2026 NBA trade deadline after snagging Jaren Jackson Jr.

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith is publicly ripping the NBA over the $500,000 fine that they handed down to his team this week.

The Jazz are giving NBA fans plenty of reason to tank — sorry, we meant think — that perhaps there are ulterior motives for why they shut down the superstar they just acquired. Jaren Jackson Jr., who played 48 games with the Grizzlies before being traded to Utah earlier this month,

What might Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen do together on the court? Plus, a look at John Konchar, and a goodbye (sort of) from a Jazz beat writer.