NBA tries fixing tank jobs with confusing '3-2-1' lottery scheme nobody asked for
The NBA is introducing a new '3-2-1 Lottery' system aimed at discouraging teams from intentionally losing games to secure higher draft picks. Under the proposal, the three worst teams would receive fewer lottery balls than slightly below-average teams, altering traditional incentives. The change reflects Commissioner Adam Silver's effort to combat tanking by rewarding mediocrity over deliberate poor performance.
- ▪The NBA's proposed '3-2-1 Lottery' system reduces lottery odds for the three worst-performing teams.
- ▪Teams that are merely below average would receive more favorable draft odds than the worst teams.
- ▪The lottery would expand from 14 to 16 teams, creating a de facto relegation zone for the lowest performers.
- ▪The goal of the system is to discourage tanking by making it less advantageous to finish with the worst record.
- ▪Commissioner Adam Silver has prioritized anti-tanking measures after years of inaction on the issue.
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OutKick NBA tries fixing tank jobs with confusing '3-2-1' lottery scheme nobody asked for The league's bottom three teams would receive fewer lottery balls than merely below-average squads By Alejandro Avila OutKick Published April 28, 2026 9:27pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video NBA to enact anti-tanking rules starting in 2026 season | The Herd Jason McIntyre dives into whether the NBA's anti-tanking efforts will slow down the act or not. Adam Silver has finally decided to do something about the tanking epidemic he spent a decade ignoring.
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