NBA approves new draft lottery system to combat tanking: What it means
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NBA approves new draft lottery system to combat tanking: What it means
Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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2 min read
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TheNBAvoted to approve a new draft lottery system designed to eliminate incentives for teams to tank during the regular season, the league announced on Thursday, May 28.
The "3-2-1 Lottery" approved by the NBAexpands the lottery from 14 to 16 teams and flattens odds for teams that don't make the NBA playoffs or play-in tournament. The new system takes effect beginning with the 2027 NBA Draft.
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The NBA said in its announcement that the league office has met with key stakeholders to discuss current competitive incentives and solicit ideas aimed at discouraging tanking since October. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said combating tanking was a priority for the league at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in February.
2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2025: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2024: Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2023: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
(Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports)
2022: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2021: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2020: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Stephen Lew, USA TODAY Sports)
2019: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2018: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2017: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2016: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2014: Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (traded two months later to Minnesota Timberwolves)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
2011: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
(Mike Stobe, Getty Images)
2010: John Wall, Washington Wizards
(Andrew Weber, US PRESSWIRE)
2007: Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)
2002: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
(LUCY NICHOLSON, AFP via Getty Images)
2000: Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
(Brett Hansbauer, US PRESSWIRE)
1998: Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
1997: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
1996: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
1995: Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
(Elsa, Getty Images)
1994: Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
1993: Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)
1992: Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic
(DOUG COLLIER, AFP via Getty Images)
1991: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
1990: Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
1/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
1/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2025: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
3/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2024: Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
4/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2023: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
(Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports)
5/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2022: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
6/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2021: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
7/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2020: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Stephen Lew, USA TODAY Sports)
8/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2019: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
9/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2018: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
10/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2017: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
11/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2016: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
12/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
13/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2014: Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (traded two months later to Minnesota Timberwolves)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
14/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2011: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
(Mike Stobe, Getty Images)
15/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2010: John Wall, Washington Wizards
(Andrew Weber, US PRESSWIRE)
16/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2007: Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)
17/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2002: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
(LUCY NICHOLSON, AFP via Getty Images)
18/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2000: Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
(Brett Hansbauer, US PRESSWIRE)
19/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1998: Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
20/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1997: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
21/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1996: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
22/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1995: Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
(Elsa, Getty Images)
23/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1994: Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
24/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1993: Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)
25/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1992: Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic
(DOUG COLLIER, AFP via Getty Images)
26/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1991: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
27/27
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
Under the new system, which goes into effect for the 2027 NBA Draft, the teams with the three worst records will be "draft relegated" and have worse lottery odds to receive a top pick compared to other teams that did not qualify for the play-in tournament. Each of the "draft relegated" teams can pick no worse than No. 12 in the draft order.
No team will be permitted to select No. 1 overall in consecutive years, nor can a team receive a top-five pick in three straight drafts. The restrictions apply only to each team's own pick, regardless of whether the pick was retained by the team via trade or traded to another team.
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It means for the 2027 NBA Draft, theMemphis Grizzlieswill not be allowed to select within the top five using the 2027 first-round pick they obtained from theUtah Jazzin a trade deadline deal centered aroundJaren Jackson Jr.The Jazz picked within the top five in each of the past two drafts and therefore aren't eligible to pick within the top-five again.
The Grizzlies were the only team to vote against the NBA's new 3-2-1 lottery system, according tomultiplereports.
The NBA also announced it will have additional disciplinary authority to address tanking as a result of the new system, including "the ability to reduce teams' lottery odds, modify teams' draft positions and impose significant fines on offending teams."
