What happened: The NBA's Board of Governors has passed a package of anti-tanking reforms, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The changes expand the draft lottery from 14 to 16 teams, introduce a relegation zone in which the bottom three teams receive reduced odds at the No. 1 pick, and further flatten the overall lottery odds.
Why it matters: The reforms target the long-standing incentive for non-contending teams to lose games in pursuit of higher draft position. By penalizing the worst three records and flattening odds, the league aims to make bottoming out a costlier strategy. This continues the NBA's broader push on draft and competition reform that has moved through the Board of Governors this spring.
By the numbers: Lottery field grows from 14 to 16 teams. Bottom three records enter a relegation zone with lessened chances at the No. Lottery odds are flattened across the field to reduce the reward for the worst records.
What to watch: Watch for the league to publish the finalized odds structure and an effective date, along with team and players' association reaction to how the relegation penalties will be applied.
Sources
- r/warriors