People interpret the latest jazz news about Jars Jackson Jr. wrongly wrong.

The Utah Jazz are fueling up and pulling out all the stops to ensure they get a high lottery pick. Jaren Jackson Jr. has a tumor in his knee that the Jazz clearly want to prevent from becoming a problem. Both things could be true, and even if his likely season-ending surgery helps Utah achieve its goals, that doesn’t make it any less of a concern that should be addressed as soon as possible.

NBA insider Chris Haynes was the first to report that Jackson has a PVNS mass in his left knee that will require surgery, which could very well end his season.

Because of how blatantly the Jazz have tanked all season, and after winning their second straight game against one of the few teams worse than them, many have quickly concluded that this is all a strategy to help their tank.

JJJ’s absence certainly helps Utah tank this season, as he took no time at all to prove he was exactly who the Jazz needed all along. But it sounds like what he’s dealing with is serious or has the potential to be, regardless of where the Jazz are as a team.

If he had a sprain or something along the same lines, that would raise legitimate suspicion (especially now), but a tumor? That’s different. Look at the full details of this and it’s clear that this would have been an issue whether the Jazz were tanking or not.

There is a time and place to call Utah for gas. This isn’t it

Utah is on fire a lot of lately for the way they executed their tanking strategy. It’s all true, and the Jazz can’t help it, just like the NBA can’t help what they do. Unlike last year, they can’t fine them for benching their guys because they’re technically playing.

The funny thing is: everything indicates that it will get even worse in the coming months. By tankathonUtah has the eighth-easiest schedule, so don’t be surprised if they bench their starters at halftime not long after the season resumes after the All-Star break.

But this doesn’t take away from how legitimate Jackson’s condition is. Utah wants to prevent this from becoming a problem for reasons beyond the current situation. Jackson will get a big raise next season and they hope he will be part of their glorious future, so they have a good reason to fix this before it gets worse.

Confirmation bias is a powerful phenomenon. The Jazz’s actions this season have given critics plenty of reasons to criticize them. This is not one of those moments.