Tanking is taking center stage in the 2024-25 NBA season, with teams like the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors engaging in strategic loss efforts to improve their draft lottery odds. The Jazz, having been fined for their blatant player participation violations, currently hold the worst record. Meanwhile, the Wizards are shifting focus towards player development and have abandoned their earlier tanking strategy, allowing Utah to seize the top position in the race for the No. 1 pick.

With the regular season drawing to a close, teams in the bottom tier are eyeing the lottery with bated breath. The Jazz, Wizards, and Hornets each sit with identical 14% odds, while the 76ers are doing everything to protect their fifth position and maintain a 64% chance of keeping their pick. The stakes are high as injuries and season performances shape the landscape for potential lottery winners.