NBA Overhauls Draft Rules to Combat Tanking

The National Basketball Association is introducing major changes to its Draft rules, aiming to curb "tanking" – the practice of teams intentionally losing games to improve their draft position. The Board of Governors approved a new framework that will take effect from the 2026-27 season, with the 2027 Draft being the first to experience these changes.

Commissioner Adam Silver prioritized addressing this issue due to widespread criticism of teams deliberately losing games to secure higher draft picks. The most impactful alteration prevents any team from securing a Top-4 pick in consecutive years. For instance, if a team like the Washington Wizards gets a Top-4 pick in 2027, they cannot achieve another Top-4 selection the following year, even with the league's worst record. Their highest possible pick would then become No. 5.

This measure is designed to prevent scenarios seen with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers, who previously secured multiple high draft picks in succession. The NBA is also adjusting the lottery odds calculation, basing them on the results of the past two seasons instead of just one. Furthermore, 16 teams will now participate in the lottery, including those eliminated via the Play-In Tournament. Lottery odds will also "lock" after the February trade deadline to reduce the incentive for teams to lose late in the regular season. The league also plans to reinstate the live televised drawing of the Draft Lottery, a practice not seen since the 1980s.