sports

April 29, 2026

NBA League Creates System Against 'Tanking'

The NBA league is considering introducing a new draft lottery reform called '3-2-1', with the aim of curbing the increasingly common practice of 'tanking' (which is when a team intentionally plays poorly during the season to have a better chance of getting a high pick in the next draft).

NBA League Creates System Against 'Tanking'

TL;DR

  • The NBA is considering a '3-2-1' draft lottery reform to combat 'tanking'.
  • The lottery would expand to 16 teams, with adjusted odds for first pick selection.
  • Teams not in the playoffs or play-in, but not in the bottom three, get three lottery balls.
  • The three worst teams (relegation zone) get two balls and cannot fall below the 12th pick.
  • The ninth and tenth play-in teams receive two balls each.
  • Losers of the 7th and 8th place play-in games receive one ball each.
  • Restrictions include no team getting the first pick two years in a row or three consecutive picks in the top five.
  • Teams can no longer protect picks between the 12th and 15th positions.
  • This system would be in effect until the 2029 draft.

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