The NBA is considering a major overhaul of its draft lottery that would reduce incentives for teams to lose on purpose and could take effect with the 2027 draft.
League officials recently outlined the proposal—nicknamed the “3-2-1 lottery”—to all 30 general managers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Owners are scheduled to vote on the measure during the Board of Governors meeting on May 28.
How the new format would work
The plan expands the lottery field from 14 to 16 clubs but introduces a “relegation zone” for the league’s three worst records. Those bottom three teams would receive the fewest lottery combinations, a reversal of the current system that gives them the best odds at the No. 1 pick. Squads finishing just above that trio would gain improved chances, while play-in participants would retain only slim odds.
Additional safeguards include:
- No franchise could secure the top overall pick in consecutive years.
- No team could land in the top five three seasons in a row.
- Draft-pick protections in the Nos. 12–15 range would be eliminated, affecting future trades.
Commissioner’s stance
Commissioner Adam Silver has repeatedly pushed for measures that make losing unattractive. “We should have a system where you should hate to lose,” he told the Competition Committee, stressing that poor results should not be “a badge of honor.”
Some league executives view the concept as an aggressive response, yet many agree a stronger deterrent to late-season tanking is necessary. Approval next month would reshape how front offices approach both roster construction and in-season strategy.
Source: Hoops Wire
