The NBA Board of Governors has approved a new draft lottery system to help eliminate ‘tanking’ for teams who are unlikely to make the Playoffs.

‘Tanking’ refers to when a team loses games or fields a non-competitive side on purpose to place lower on the ladder which in return gives them a chance at a higher draft pick.

A new “3-2-1 lottery” system which refers to the number of lottery balls each team will receive, has been designed to eliminate incentives for teams to tank and start prioritising winning over draft position.

Teams voted in favour of the changes, 29-1. The Memphis Grizzlies were the only organisation to vote against.

This system expands the lottery from 14 to 16 teams, decreasing the odds for teams that do not qualify for the Playoffs or NBA Play-In Tournament.

The seven lowest ranked teams will get three balls each giving them around an eight percent chance of winning the top draft pick, while the three lowest ranked teams will receive only two balls as punishment, giving them slightly lower odds of winning the top pick.

Although these three lowest ranked teams will only receive two balls, they will be offered protection as they are guaranteed to pick no lower than 12th. Two or one ball will be given to six teams that snuck into the previous season’s Play-in Tournament if they finished between seventh and 10th in their conference.

Additionally, no team will be allowed to win the first pick in back-to-back years and teams cannot choose from the top five in three straight drafts.

The new system will commence in the 2027 NBA Draft.

Author: Isabella Novella and Harry Smith.

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