Things are very gnarly when a $600,000 fine isn't the worst thing that has happened to you within the last 24 hours.

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is in that very spot after an investigative report dug up skeletons in the franchise's culture that he claimed he had no knowledge of.

But NBA Commissioner Adam Silver could have been much harsher in his punishment, able to fine him up to $1 million for his comments about tanking during the All-Star break.

via ESPN Insider Bobby Marks:

“Article 35A of the NBA Constitution and By-Laws gives the Commissioner broad power to enforce discipline in either a fine or suspension. Any person who gives, makes, issues, authorizes or endorses any statement having, or designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball or of the Association or of a Member of its Team, shall be liable for a fine up to $1M. Mark Cuban will now have 10 days to pay his $600K fine to the NBA for his statements regarding tanking.”

This isn't the first time Cuban has put his foot in his mouth with statements made to the media, this time doing so with Hall of Famer Julius Irving in what felt like a casual conversation.

“Dr. J is my childhood idol,” he told Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, who first reported the fine. “I got caught up fanboying him and said the wrong thing in the wrong way.”

The Mavericks are in a dire stretch and have found themselves unable to join the Western Conference playoff race with a hollowed-out roster. While Cuban is right about tanking being his best chance at succeeding in the near future, the league is trying to erase a stigma of cheap caveats, and tanking has been one of the most frowned-upon strategies, which Silver has tried to purge.