Kendrick Perkins wants NBA to fine Utah $5 million for ‘game-fixing’

As it is The Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers were fined because of “manage their lists for recent matches,” which is related to the problem of tanking in the NBA, the first was fined $500,000, while the second was fined $100,000. With Jazz leading the chargeNBA analyst and former player Kendrick Perkins would say that the punishments by the NBA were low.

Speaking on ESPN’s “NBA Today” about the NBA fines against Utah and Indiana, Perkins would say each team should have been fined $5 million for “disrespecting the game of basketball.” He would even say that tanking is a “nice” way to show what teams have been up to.

“I wish Adam Silver had fined them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball, like, let’s stop being nice about it and throwing out the word ‘tagging,'” Perkins said. “No, it’s actually throwing games. You’re trying to throw games to lose games. Think about that for a second. In one of the best sports in the world, a competitive sport, you learn to try to lose games.”

“I wish Adam Silver would fine them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball. Let’s stop being nice about it and throwing out the word ‘tanking.’ No, it’s actually throwing games.”

—@KendrickPerkins tends towards the Jazz and Pacers being punished for healthy players… pic.twitter.com/GoTP7vfKO2

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 13, 2026

Kendrick Perkins continues his message for jazz

While it is Jazz faces a $500,000 fineThe NBA cites two games in particular on February 7 and 9 against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, respectively, in which the team sat out the start Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the fourth quarter. There’s no denying that they sat because of Utah’s letdown, as there were close games with both players not injured at the time.

Perkins would counter that even if teams are anxious for a better draft pick, the prospects for the 2026 draft aren’t generational.

“There’s no generational talent in this draft. Do they have any good franchise guys? Absolutely,” Perkins said. “AJ Dibantsa, is he Victor (Vembanjama)? Is he Cooper Flagg? Is he LeBron (James)? No. Are any of those guys capable of doing anything or taking it to that level? I think they’re good starting points. But going back to Adam Silva, I’d punish them even more.”

Anyway, Utah is currently 18-38, which puts them as the third-worst record in the West.