The NBA unveiled three anti-tanking proposals to its Board of Governors on Wednesday, aiming to limit incentives for losing teams, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Each concept is expected to undergo modifications before a formal vote in May.
The first proposal involves an 18-team draft lottery including seeds 7-15 in each conference. Bottom 10 teams would receive an 8% chance at the top pick, while remaining odds are distributed in decreasing order for teams ranked 11 through 18, with all 18 picks determined via lottery.
The second concept expands the lottery to 22 teams, factoring in two-year records. Teams ranked 7-15 plus the four first-round playoff exits in each conference would participate. Each team would have a minimum win floor of 25 games; teams below the floor would be slotted accordingly, and the top four picks are drawn as currently structured.
The third option introduces an 18-team “5 by 5” lottery. The five worst teams would have equal odds for the first pick, with the top five drawn through a lottery. Teams outside the top five are sorted in a secondary drawing, and the bottom five carry a minimum win floor of 10 games.
League executives view all three proposals as methods to reduce incentives for losing at the end of the regular season. Flattening lottery odds and establishing win floors aim to discourage teams from tanking while maintaining opportunities for rebuilding franchises.
Current standings show a wide disparity between contenders and lottery teams, highlighting why anti-tanking measures remain a priority. In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons lead with a 52–20 record, while the Indiana Pacers sit last at 16–57. The Western Conference features the Oklahoma City Thunder atop at 57–16, with the Sacramento Kings at the bottom at 19–54.
The league’s goal is to maintain competitive integrity while protecting rebuilding teams’ chances to secure top talent. Flattened lottery odds would limit advantages for teams at the bottom of the standings, while win floors aim to ensure meaningful competition throughout the season.
A formal vote is expected in May, giving the Board of Governors time to review potential modifications and impacts on the 2026 draft. The proposals could reshape the lottery system, influencing roster-building strategies and long-term league parity.
