NBA Presents '3-2-1 Lottery' Anti-Tanking Reform To GMs; Owners Vote May 28

The framework has drawn majority support from teams following several weeks of meetings with the board of governors, competition committee and general managers. Minor adjustments remain possible, but the core structure is largely settled, according to sources. Under the proposal, non-playoff teams outside the bottom three, slots four through 10, would each receive three lottery balls. The three worst teams would receive just two balls each but are guaranteed no worse than the 12th pick. The remaining 13 lottery teams could fall as low as 16th. The 9th and 10th play-in seeds receive two lottery balls each, while losers of the 7-8 play-in games receive one ball apiece. Additional restrictions include a ban on consecutive No. 1 pick wins, a prohibition on winning three straight top-five picks and an elimination of pick protections in the 12-15 range. The plan includes a sunset provision expiring after the 2029 draft, aligning with the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement. The league would also gain expanded authority to reduce lottery odds or adjust draft positions as a disciplinary measure against tanking. Adam Silver identified tanking as his foremost priority following a board of governors meeting in March. I do think ultimately this is a decision that needs to be made at the ownership level, Silver said in March. It has business implications, has basketball implications, has integrity implications for the league. So, it's one that we take very seriously, and we are going to fix it. Full stop.