NBA Board of Governors Approves New Draft Lottery System

On May 28, 2026, the NBA Board of Governors approved a new draft lottery system aimed at addressing concerns over teams intentionally losing games, commonly referred to as tanking. The new 3-2-1 lottery structure was approved with a vote of 29-1, with the Memphis Grizzlies opposing the change. This system expands the lottery to 16 teams and reduces the odds for the three teams with the worst records to secure the top draft pick. Instead, teams finishing with the fourth to tenth worst records will have improved odds. The ninth and tenth worst teams will now have the same 5.4% chance at the top pick as the teams with the worst records. Additional rules prevent any team from winning the No. 1 pick in consecutive seasons or landing a top-five selection in three consecutive drafts. While the changes are intended to enhance competitive integrity, they may inadvertently create incentives for teams to aim for a mid-tier position rather than striving for the worst record. This could lead to a new strategy where teams near the playoff line might choose to slide down the standings to improve their lottery odds, complicating the current competitive landscape.