NBA reportedly planning anti-tanking proposal that expands draft lottery, punishes bottom 3 teams
The NBA is reportedly planning an anti-tanking proposal that would expand the draft lottery to 16 teams and penalize the three worst-performing teams by reducing their odds of securing the top pick. The new '3-2-1' system assigns ping-pong balls based on standings and play-in results, aiming to discourage teams from losing on purpose. The proposal includes restrictions on consecutive high picks and grants the league broader authority to punish tanking. It is set for an owners' vote on May 28 and could take effect starting with the 2027 draft.
- ▪The proposed system expands the draft lottery to include 16 teams instead of the current 14.
- ▪The bottom three teams in the standings would receive only two ping-pong balls each, reducing their odds of winning the No. 1 pick to 5.4%.
- ▪Teams that lose in the 7-8 play-in games would get just one ping-pong ball (2.7% odds), while teams finishing 4th to 10th get three balls (8.1%).
- ▪The proposal prevents teams from winning the No. 1 pick in consecutive years or securing a top-five pick in three straight seasons.
- ▪The anti-tanking measures include a sunset provision, with the system set to expire after the 2029 draft unless extended.
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