NBA Seeks to Curb “Tanking” with New Plan
WASHINGTON – The NBA has presented the owners of its 30 teams with a new plan designed to discourage “tanking,” a strategy in which some teams intentionally lose to improve their chances in the draft. The proposal, which seeks to balance the odds in the draft and reduce the benefits of finishing with the worst records in the league, includes significant adjustments to the lottery system.- The draft lottery will be expanded from 14 to 16 teams, including the losers of the “play-in” matchups between the seventh and eighth place teams in each conference.
- These teams would only have a 2.7% chance of obtaining a high pick.
- The three teams with the most losses, along with those ranked ninth and tenth who participate in the “play-in”, would have a 5.4% chance.
- The rest of the teams at the bottom would each have an 8.1% chance.
“Tanking” has been a concern for the NBA, as it harms competitive integrity and the sporting spectacle. With this reform, the league seeks to make competing at the highest level the only viable strategy, eliminating incentives to intentionally lose and strengthening the credibility of the championship.We should have a system where you hate to lose. It shouldn’t be a badge of honor. Losing should be uncomfortable.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
