NBA approves new draft lottery system to combat tanking: What it means

The NBA approved a new '3-2-1 Lottery' system on May 28, expanding the draft lottery to 16 teams and penalizing the three worst-record teams with worse odds to discourage tanking, effective for the 2027 draft. Only the Memphis Grizzlies voted against the change, while the league also gained disciplinary powers to fine or adjust draft positions for tanking violations, with restrictions preventing top-five picks in consecutive years or top-five picks in three straight drafts for any team." "article": "The NBA Board of Governors approved a revised draft lottery system on May 28, designed to eliminate incentives for teams to intentionally lose games, known as tanking. The new '3-2-1 Lottery' system expands the lottery pool from 14 to 16 teams and introduces penalties for the three teams with the worst records, which will be 'draft relegated' and have worse odds of securing a top pick. These teams will be limited to selecting no worse than No. 12 in the draft, and no team can pick No. 1 overall in consecutive years or secure a top-five pick in three straight drafts. The changes apply to the 2027 NBA Draft and follow league-wide discussions since October, with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver prioritizing anti-tanking measures during the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in February. The system aims to discourage teams from losing games to improve their draft position, a practice that has drawn criticism from fans and stakeholders. The Memphis Grizzlies were the sole team to vote against the new system, according to multiple reports. The league also announced enhanced disciplinary measures, including the ability to reduce lottery odds, modify draft positions, and impose significant fines on teams found guilty of tanking. The new rules will impact the 2027 draft for the Memphis Grizzlies, who acquired a first-round pick from the Utah Jazz in a trade deadline deal involving Jaren Jackson Jr. Under the old system, the Grizzlies could have used this pick within the top five, but the Jazz had already secured top-five picks in the previous two drafts, making them ineligible for another top-five selection. The Grizzlies will now be restricted in how they can use their draft pick due to the new lottery structure. The NBA’s move reflects a broader effort to maintain competitive balance and fairness in the league, addressing concerns that tanking undermines the integrity of the sport. The new system will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness in reducing tanking behavior while still allowing teams with poor records to improve their draft positions.