The NBA’s latest attempt to discourage teams from intentionally losing has produced three new proposals, but none appears to offer a straightforward remedy, according to league discussions this week.
Commissioner Adam Silver presented the ideas during the Board of Governors meetings, ESPN reported. Details of the proposals were not disclosed publicly, yet team and league officials acknowledged that each option carries significant drawbacks.
Silver said the league is “going to fix this — full stop,” while conceding that meaningful progress will be challenging. He described himself as an incrementalist but added that “fundamental changes to the incentive structure” may be required, potentially extending to future collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
Worsening Trend
On ESPN’s Hoop Collective podcast, reporter Tim Bontemps noted that tanking has accelerated despite prior reforms. A decade ago, he estimated four or five clubs deliberately slipped in the standings; today, he sees eight to ten teams shutting down competitive efforts after the All-Star break.
The NBA first installed its draft lottery 41 years ago to curb tanking. Silver’s most recent adjustment, which flattened lottery odds before the 2019 draft, has not reversed the trend. Stakeholders across ownership, front offices and the fan base reportedly remain dissatisfied with the current environment.
Timeline for Change
The league intends to introduce “extensive changes” to the lottery system before the 2026-27 season, Silver told governors. A special session in May is expected to unveil any short-term measures so teams can prepare for next season.
While momentum for reform is clear, consensus on a viable fix remains elusive, reinforcing that the NBA’s race to the bottom is far from resolved.
Source: Hoops Wire
