NBA approves unprecedented lottery changes to target tanking

The NBA’s Board of Governors has passed approved anti-tank rules that implement a first-of-its-kind draft lottery system that penalizes the three worst teams in the league, per Shams Charania.

The new “3-2-1” system expands the lottery from 14 to 16 teams, while flattening the odds across the board. This new system would punish the three teams with the worst records, only giving them fewer entries into the lottery than the 4-10 teams.

Both No. 9 and No. 10 seeds from each conference would receive the same chances at the bottom three teams. The losers of the 7-8 play-in games from each conference would be the two new teams that receive entries.

The following graph made by Lev Akabas may not reflect the exact details of the new system, but it illustrates what the new odds should look like.

This new system was voted on by all 30 teams, passing 29-1 with the Memphis Grizzlies being the only team voting no.

In addition to a completely new lottery system, these rules also allow for far more severe punishments as a result of tanking. While the details aren’t public yet, these new penalties could involve the league altering a team’s draft position entirely.

With Thursday’s vote passing, the new system is set to be in effect in the 2027 draft and will go through the 2029 draft. The league plans to reevaluate at that time to decide whether or not to make further changes.

When the new proposal was first introduced in April, it was received with mixed reactions among the NBA world.

Some praised it for it’s potential hamper on tanking, while other raised concerns that it could be harmful for teams that are at the bottom but aren’t tanking.

Now, it appears we’ll have to wait just over a year to see how this new system impacts the league.

James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker

About the Author Published May 28, 2026

JAMES PARKER

James Parker is a sports reporter and writer for Ball Exclusives. With a bachelor's degree earned at the age of 19, he’s spent years working as a sports journalist, including an award-winning stint at The Appalachian. He has never used AI for his work in any way, shape or form.