Charles Barkley doesnt think tanking is complicated to solve. He just doesnt think the NBA has the guts to fix it.The Hall of Famer laid out three straightforward proposals to clean up what has become one of the leagues most talked-about issues, with nearly a quarter of the league openly trying to lose games ahead of whats shaping up to be a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class.I dont think any NBA team should be able to raise their ticket prices if theyre below .500. Ive always said that, Barkley said speaking on Inside the NBA. You cannot raise your ticket prices if your team is below .500. Even if youre still trying to tank, you cant raise your ticket prices then youre getting your cake and eating it too.Charles Barkley shares his idea on how to fix tanking:Teams have just been tanking for 3 months. Every team who does not make the playoffs should get 1 ball. You cant improve your chances losing. Every team gets 1 ball. That is the fair way to do it. Only with our stupid NBA https://t.co/z89IwdhGGB pic.twitter.com/x1iEhNmc2O NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 12, 2026Its a proposal thats hard to argue with. Fans are still paying full price, or more, while watching franchises deliberately put out losing products. The Dallas Mavericks drew heavy criticism last season after announcing an 8.61 percent ticket price increase despite missing the playoffs with a 39-43 record.Barkleys second fix takes aim at the lottery system itself. Under the current weighted format, the worst teams earn more ping pong balls and a greater shot at the top pick the very incentive that makes tanking attractive. His solution is simple: equal odds for everyone.Related Article: Giannis Antetokounmpo Vents About Bucks and FutureEvery team in the lottery should get one ping pong ball. They shouldnt give you more balls, Barkley added. The team with the worst record has only got the number one pick twice in the last 25 years. Give everybody one ball if you miss the playoffs.His third proposal targets protected picks, the mechanism teams use to hedge their bets when trading future selections.If you trade a pick, its gone, Barkley continued. Because now teams can manipulate if it falls in the top three or four or top seven protected no.READ MORE: JJ Redick Calls Out Deandre Aytons Costly Flaw
