NBA owners ratify anti-tanking lottery system

The NBA owners voted on Thursday to approve anti-tanking measures that will go into effect with the 2027 NBA Draft Lottery.

By a reported 29-1 margin, the league ratified a new NBA Draft lottery system that disincentivizes teams from trying to finish last in the league.

Here’s how the “3-2-1” plan endorsed by commissioner Adam Silver will work:

The NBA Board of Governors today approved a new NBA Draft Lottery system designed to eliminate incentives for teams to prioritize their position in the Draft over winning games.

Full release: https://t.co/I42k5HeUV0

Additional information regarding the new system, including the… pic.twitter.com/o1QItNPIit

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 28, 2026

How The New NBA Draft Lottery System Works

The teams that post the worst three records during the regular season each will receive two ping-pong balls for the NBA Draft Lottery drawing. That’s the same number that will be allocated to the four teams that finish ninth and 10th in the conference standings.

The two teams that lose the play-in tournament games between the No. 7 and 8 seeds will receive one ball.

The seven teams that neither take part in the play-in tournament nor finish among the bottom three will earn three lottery balls apiece.

All told, there will be 37 balls in the hopper. That gives the teams finishing 21st through 27th during the regular season an 8.1% chance to secure the No. 1 pick, while the bottom three only have a 5.4% chance.

Under the system being replaced, the bottom three teams enjoyed a 14% chance to win the top pick while the next seven teams’ chances varied from 3 to 11.5%.

With the new system that will be in effect for at least the 2027-29 draft, no team can win the No. 1 pick in back-to-back lotteries and no team can collect a top-five pick in three straight lotteries.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The Sacramento Kings are preparing for a crucial 2026 NBA Draft, which is set to take place from Tuesday, June 23rd, through Wednesday, June 24th.

Sacramento owns the 7th pick in the Draft, giving them a chance at selecting a talented player with upside, such as Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, June 23rd – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Wednesday, June 24th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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