NBA Board of Governors Approves Anti-Tanking Lottery Reform
Commissioner Adam Silver’s push to fix draft incentives takes effect immediately, with a mandatory review scheduled before the 2030 draft.
The NBA Board of Governors has voted to implement a comprehensive overhaul of the draft lottery system, introducing a new "3-2-1 lottery" structure designed to curb tanking and incentivise on-court competitiveness. The reform, which Commissioner Adam Silver stated was needed "for next season," expands the lottery field from 14 to 16 teams and imposes strict restrictions on consecutive high-pick acquisitions.
Under the new regulations, the lottery will include the loser of the 7-8 play-in game as well as the ninth and tenth seeds. This expansion removes the incentive for teams to lose down the stretch of the regular season to secure a top-five pick, as previously seen in instances where franchises deliberately tanked to ensure the worst records. The league aims to blunt the most extreme cases of strategic losing by giving bottom-tier teams a reason to compete for playoff positioning.
The reform introduces significant constraints on draft asset accumulation. Teams will be prohibited from winning back-to-back lotteries or securing a pick inside the top five for three consecutive drafts. This measure is a direct response to scenarios such as the San Antonio Spurs’ success in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 drafts, where the franchise secured the first, fourth, and second picks respectively. The league has indicated a preference for spreading talent more evenly across the competition rather than allowing dynasties to form through consecutive high-draft selections.
The changes also have immediate implications for existing trade assets. The reform affects picks already traded for the 2027, 2028, and 2029 drafts, potentially altering their market value. For example, the Memphis Grizzlies’ acquired pick from the Utah Jazz is now restricted from landing in the top five next season, a move that devalues an asset acquired in the exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr. Sources suggest the league may consider remote amendments to account for such midstream disruptions, though no formal adjustments have been confirmed.
To enhance transparency and viewership, sources expect the lottery drawing to become a live, televised event. Proposals include picking the 16th team first and working backward to the first pick, a format intended to eliminate conspiracy theories and increase dramatic tension. Despite the structural changes, the proposal includes a "sunset" clause requiring a mandatory review of the system before the 2030 draft, leaving open the possibility of further reforms, such as a potential "draft credits" system.
