NBA Considers Draft Lottery Reform to Combat Tanking

(AsiaGameHub) –   The NBA has reportedly notified its 30 general managers of a proposed reform to combat tanking in the draft lottery, dubbed the “3-2-1 lottery.” This name reflects the number of lottery balls allocated to teams, and the system would expand the lottery to encompass 16 teams.

NBA to Allegedly Implement New Team Lottery System

According to circulating reports, the NBA office has held several significant meetings in recent weeks with the Board of Governors, the competition committee, and all 30 general managers. These discussions have focused on refining a single proposal before a final vote by owners scheduled for May 28. While minor modifications to the plan are still possible, the fundamental structure is understood to have the support of a majority of teams.

Sources indicate that all involved parties have dedicated months to developing and assessing various concepts before arriving at this 16-team format. Senior NBA officials are of the opinion that the proposal will diminish the motivation to lose games by including all 16 eligible teams in the lottery process. It is also anticipated to foster greater competitiveness towards the end of the season, as teams at the bottom will strive to avoid the lowest draft positions. Concurrently, those teams situated just above them will aim to secure better draft placement.

The discussions surrounding the new format followed an announcement made late last year, when the NBA declared its intention to increase oversight on the types of wagers that could be offered on its games. This new policy also included an updated Fan Code of Conduct designed to enhance the protection of NBA players, coaches, and other team personnel, alongside measures aimed at preventing tanking.

How Will the New System Work?

Under the proposed “3-2-1 lottery” system, the draft lottery pool will be expanded from 14 teams to 16. Teams that do not qualify for the playoffs or the play-in tournament, and finish outside the bottom three positions (specifically, positions 4 through 10 in the draft order, referred to as the “relegation zone”), will each receive three lottery balls.

The three teams with the worst records in the league will each receive two lottery balls but will be guaranteed a draft pick no lower than the No. 12 selection. Meanwhile, the remaining lottery teams could fall as far as the No. 16 pick. The teams that finish as the No. 9 and No. 10 seeds in each conference will each be allocated two lottery balls, while teams that lose in the 7–8 play-in games will receive one lottery ball each.

The proposal also includes a sunset clause, meaning the new system will automatically cease to be in effect after the 2029 draft unless the Board of Governors votes to extend or replace it. The NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement is slated to remain in effect through the 2029–30 season. Furthermore, the league will be granted expanded authority to enforce rules against tanking. This includes the ability to adjust lottery odds and/or modify draft positions for teams found to be in violation of these guidelines.

In separate NBA news, former star player Gilbert Arenas faces a potential prison sentence of up to 5 years if convicted of operating an illegal poker scheme in California.