NBA moves closer to anti-tanking, draft lottery changes

Key Points:

• The NBA is considering a "3-2-1 Lottery" proposal that would expand the draft lottery to 16 teams, flattening the odds of winning the No. 1 pick and reducing incentives for tanking by lowering the chances for the three worst teams.
• Under the plan, teams finishing with the three worst records would have only a 5.4% chance of winning the top pick and could fall as low as 12th in the draft, while other non-playoff teams would have better odds, aiming to discourage intentional losing.
• The proposal includes adding two teams to the lottery, assigning 1-3 lottery balls based on standings and play-in results, and preventing teams from winning back-to-back No. 1 picks or having three straight top-five picks.
• Additional measures would ban protections on picks ranked 12-15 in trades and give the league expanded authority to penalize tanking, including lowering lottery odds or altering draft positions.
• The new system, if approved, would take effect next year, be reviewed by the Board of Governors next month, and is set to expire after the 2029 draft unless renewed or modified.