Silver Says NBA Could Shrink Draft Lottery Field to Combat Tanking
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters at his annual All-Star Weekend press conference on Friday that the league is considering “every possible remedy” to curb tanking, including cutting the number of teams that enter the draft lottery.
Currently, the 14 clubs that miss the postseason participate in the lottery, with the three worst records receiving the highest odds at the No. 1 pick. Silver called the format potentially “antiquated” and said it is time for a “fresh look.”
With a highly regarded draft class on the horizon, Silver acknowledged that tanking this season is “worse than it’s been in past seasons.” The league fined the Jazz and Pacers earlier in the week for not playing star players, but the commissioner said disciplinary action is not a long-term solution. “It will lead to very unhealthy relationships between us and our teams,” he warned.
Expansion on next month’s agenda
Silver confirmed the Board of Governors will discuss expansion at its meeting next month, though no vote is planned and a final decision is expected later in the year. Seattle and Las Vegas remain leading candidates for new franchises, but Silver emphasized that relocating any existing team is off the table. He added there is no predetermined number of clubs that would be added if expansion moves forward, noting that decision will hinge on a marketplace analysis.
European league targeted for 2027-28
The commissioner also said the NBA’s planned league in Europe could debut in the 2027-28 season. Talks with banking partners and prospective member organizations are progressing, and Silver stressed that the project requires patience. “If you are looking for a short-term return, you should probably look elsewhere,” he said. “We plan to be invested for years to build this base.”
Status of Clippers investigation
Silver reported no resolution yet in the outside investigation of the Clippers’ Aspiration sponsorship case. Team officials have cooperated, he said, and the franchise’s role as All-Star Weekend host has not influenced the timeline for a ruling.
Source: Hoops Rumors
