The NBA notably slapped Utah a hefty $500,000 fine for resting their healthy stars last month.
In the wake of this brutal season, the Utah Jazz see themselves being heavily monitored and scrutinized by the entire NBA.
Utah Jazz / Schedule
Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio's Deals and Dunks, Zach Harper of The Athletic revealed that some members of the Jazz organization have privately expressed that they feel "picked on" by the league office.
Harper gave an analogy comparing the NBA's punishments to traffic laws.
“Talking to some Utah people, around the team and part of the team, that said they felt picked on," Harper revealed. "I said, ‘Everybody is going 75 on the freeway. You went 85. You got pulled over.’ ”
And when Markkanen sustained hip and ankle injuries and was set to undergo an MRI in late February, it was reported that the NBA planned to send independent doctors to review the results, though that was later debunked.
As the league is about to welcome high-profile prospects for this year's draft class from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer, the Jazz have fully embraced a tanking campaign this 2025-26.
They are currently 14th in the Western Conference standings with a 21-52 record.
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