The NBA Board of Governors voted 29‑1 on June 27 to adopt the controversial “3‑2‑1” draft‑lottery plan, a sweeping rewrite designed to curb tanking... Memphis Grizzlies’ sole dissent stemmed from concerns that the new odds sabotage a recent trade involving Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.

29‑1 vote approves 3‑2‑1 lottery overhaul

The board’s near‑unanimous approval, as reported by the league’s official release, flips the current lottery hierarchy: the three worst‑record teams now receive the highest probability of the No. 1 pick. The change also expands the lottery pool to include all play‑in tournament losers and grants the commissioner broader authority to penalise teams that appear to be tanking.

Memphis Grizzlies dissent over Jaren Jackson Jr. trade

Memphis voted against the proposal because the new structure directly affects the Jazz’s 2027 first‑round pick they acquired in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Under the old system, the Grizzlies hoped the pick could land in the top five, boosting the value of the deal. The revised odds, however, guarantee that the Jazz’s pick cannot fall within the top five, dramatically reducing the trade’s upside, according to the NBA’s statement.

New odds give bottom three teams top chance at No. 1

Under the 3‑2‑1 model, the team with the worst record now enjoys a 25 % chance of the No. 1 slot,while the second‑worst and third‑worst each receive a 20 % chance. This is a stark reversal from the previous system, where the odds were spread across the top 14 non‑playoff teams. The shift aims to disincentivise intentional losing by making the lottery less of a gamble for mid‑tier teams.

Expanded lottery pool adds play‑in losers

For the first time, the NBA will include the four teams eliminated in the play‑in tournament in the lottery draw. This move, noted by the league’s governance memo, broadens the pool from 14 to 18 teams, further diluting the odds for any single franchise and reinforcing the anti‑tanking message .

Will the Jazz’s 2027 pick stay out of the top five?

The lingering question for Memphis is whether the Jazz’s 2027 first‑rounder can ever become a top‑five asset under the new rules. As the Grizzlies rebuild, their draft position becomes their primary talent pipeline, and the altered odds could force them to reconsider future trade strategies. No ofifcial comment from the Grizzlies front office has been released beyond the vote record.