The NBA Board of Governors voted to expand the draft lottery to curb the practice of teams deliberately losing games [1, 2].
This policy change targets "tanking," a strategy where teams intentionally field weaker rosters to improve their odds of securing a top draft pick. By altering the lottery structure, the league seeks to maintain competitive integrity throughout the regular season.
According to reports, the new three-two-one draft lottery format shifts the odds for the No. 1 pick and reduces the inherent value of finishing at the bottom of the standings [3]. Some reports indicate the lottery may be expanded to include 18 teams [2].
Giovanni Malloy of Forbes said the new system changes tanking incentives by reducing the reward for a last-place finish [3]. The move reflects a growing effort by league leadership to discourage teams from prioritizing draft assets over winning games.
League officials are scheduled to host a meeting with general managers via Zoom on Tuesday to further discuss the next steps of the draft reform [2]. This meeting follows the Board of Governors' decision to address the systemic issue of intentional losing.
Mike Greenberg, host of ESPN's Get Up, said the NBA Board of Governors voted to expand the lottery specifically to address tanking [1]. The decision was highlighted during the May 29 broadcast as a significant step in the league's governance.
“The NBA's new 3‑2‑1 draft lottery reduces the value of finishing at the bottom”
The shift toward a more expanded lottery and a 3-2-1 format suggests the NBA is moving away from a system that rewards the worst records. By decoupling the worst record from the highest probability of a top pick, the league creates a mathematical deterrent for tanking, potentially forcing front offices to prioritize short-term competitiveness to remain viable in the lottery.
