The Dallas Mavericks were originally planning to tank back in March, according to Kevin O’Connor of Fan Duel TV.
The decision was met with pushback from Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who both refused to sit out games.
“In late March, Dallas coaches met with players to discuss a plan for Markieff Morris and Javale McGee to play heavier minutes.
“That is when the tanking was supposed to begin, but Luka and Kyrie were agitated that the team was waving the white flag and both refused to sit,” according to O’Connor.
The Mavs were fined $750,000 by the NBA on Friday for tanking actions and comments pertaining to their April 7 game against the Bulls.