NBA Board of Governors Passes New Anti-Tanking Lottery Rules

New Lottery Regulations

The NBA Board of Governors has passed a series of new rules aimed at curbing "tanking" and altering the mechanics of the draft lottery. The measures passed with a 29-1 vote, with the Memphis Grizzlies serving as the sole dissenting vote.

Under the newly approved guidelines, teams are now prohibited from winning the No. 1 overall pick in two consecutive years using their own selection. This change is part of a broader effort to discourage teams from intentionally fielding uncompetitive rosters to secure high draft positions.

Expanded Lottery Format

The league has introduced a larger lottery format, expanding the pool to 16 teams. According to reports, this expanded structure is designed to flatten the odds of winning the No. 1 pick, further reducing the incentive for teams to tank.

This current system is the latest in a long history of lottery adjustments. The process began with a simple coin flip between the two worst teams to determine the first selection, a practice that remained in place through 1984. In 1966, for example, the New York Knicks won a coin flip using a 1907 gold piece provided by Pistons owner Fred Zollner to select Cazzie Russell. Between 1985 and 1989, the lottery evolved into an "envelope era" where seven, and later nine, teams held equal odds of winning the top pick.

Impact on Trade Assets

The new rules also include specific restrictions on traded draft assets. The Memphis Grizzlies, who acquired Utah's 2027 first-round pick as part of a trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. in February, will see their return capped at the No. 6 pick next season.

According to the league's new regulations, the restrictions on top picks apply to the team that traded for the pick, even if the original team no longer controls that asset. This ensures that the anti-tanking protections remain in effect regardless of whether a pick has been moved between franchises.