The National Basketball Players Association has delivered a three-part proposal to the NBA aimed at discouraging teams from intentionally losing games, according to reporter Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
1. Adjusted Draft Lottery Odds
The union supports expanding the lottery field to 18 clubs, folding in the four teams that qualify for the play-in tournament and ultimately reach the playoffs. Under the NBPA’s suggestion, the league’s 10 worst records would each carry a 7% chance of landing the No. 1 pick, down from the 8% figure the NBA previously floated. Clubs ranked 11th through 18th in the lottery order would share identical odds, including a 3.75% shot at the top selection, rather than the descending percentages presented by the league office.
2. Tougher Penalties for Deliberate Losing
Players are also pushing for stricter enforcement mechanisms. Options under discussion include moving an offending franchise’s first-round pick to the end of the lottery, sliding it to the back of the round, or stripping the pick entirely. Reducing lottery odds and imposing multi-million-dollar fines are other possibilities being weighed.
3. Financial Incentives Tied to Wins
The most sweeping element would link regular-season performance to a team’s share of national television revenue. Mirroring the English Premier League’s merit-based distribution model, the NBPA proposes larger payouts for higher finishes and smaller shares for clubs with poorer records. Such a system would require major changes to the NBA’s existing revenue-sharing rules and has not been publicly endorsed by the league.
The NBA is reviewing a range of anti-tanking measures with an eye on implementation before next season. No timeline has been announced for a formal vote on any specific reforms.
Source: HoopsRumors
