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NBA·May 25, 2026 04:25 PM ET

NBA owners to vote on anti-tanking lottery reforms this week

New rules could choke off blockbuster star trades.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 251 min read
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What happened: NBA owners are set to vote this week on a slate of new anti-tanking lottery proposals, according to Yahoo NBA. The reforms are aimed at discouraging teams from losing intentionally to improve draft odds. A central concern is how the changes would affect the movement of first-round picks.

Why it matters: The proposals matter because they would make it harder to trade first-round picks, which in turn makes blockbuster trades for stars more difficult to assemble. Pick capital is the currency of star deals, so tighter restrictions could reshape how aggressively front offices operate. The vote could alter the calculus for both contenders and rebuilding clubs heading into the offseason.

What to watch: Watch for the outcome of the owners' vote later this week and any league guidance on how restated pick-trading rules will be applied.

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