The National Basketball Association is preparing to vote on a significant overhaul of its draft lottery system, designed to address the practice of “tanking” – intentionally losing games to improve draft position. The proposed changes, known as the ‘3-2-1 lottery,’ will be presented to team owners on May 28th.

Addressing Competitive Integrity

The current draft lottery system, intended to help struggling teams acquire top talent, has inadvertently incentivized teams to prioritize draft position over winning. This new system aims to shift that dynamic and reward consistent competition throughout the season.

Key Features of the '3-2-1 Lottery'

The proposed ‘3-2-1 lottery’ introduces several key changes:

  • Expanded Lottery Pool: The lottery will expand from 14 to 16 teams.
  • Relegation Zone: The three teams with the worst records will be placed in a “relegation zone” and receive fewer lottery balls (two each).
  • Lottery Ball Distribution: Teams ranked fourth through tenth will receive three lottery balls each.
  • Play-In Tournament Teams: Teams seeded ninth and tenth in each conference will receive two balls, while losers of the 7-8 play-in games get one.
  • Consecutive Pick Restrictions: No team can win the top overall pick in consecutive years or accumulate three top-five picks in a row.
  • Draft Pick Protection Eliminated: The ability to protect draft picks in the 12-15 range will be removed.

    • Guaranteed Draft Position

    Even teams in the relegation zone are guaranteed to draft no lower than 12th overall. This provides a floor for their potential gains in the draft.

    Increased Disciplinary Powers

    Beyond the lottery mechanics, the NBA will gain expanded disciplinary powers to directly address tanking. The league can now reduce a team’s lottery odds or adjust their draft position if evidence of intentional losing is found.

    Sunset Provision and Future Evaluation

    The system includes a “sunset provision,” meaning it will expire after the 2029 draft. This allows the board of governors to re-evaluate and potentially implement further changes based on the system’s effectiveness.

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has emphasized that addressing tanking is a top priority, recognizing its negative impact on the league’s reputation and fan engagement. The proposal is the result of collaborative efforts between league officials, team owners, and general managers.