NBA anti-tanking draft rules: What to know about new punishments for worst teams in league

After months of speculation, the NBA followed through on its promise to curb tanking. The board of governors passed a resolution with near-unanimous support calling for a revision of the league’s lottery rules.

Read more Tennessee vs. Texas live box score Women’s College World Series

The new system, known as a «3-2-1» lottery, will see the league’s three worst teams penalized for losing games. Middling teams that are unable to crack the postseason but remain competitive will benefit from the alteration, a departure from conventional wisdom among the major North American sports leagues.

Here’s what you need to know about the NBA’s latest anti-tanking draft edicts, signed into law Thursday afternoon.

Read more Serena Williams return set as tennis legend plans comeback in London

NBA anti-tanking draft rules

With its new rules, the NBA has officially cracked down on tanking. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the latest round of legislation from the league office expands the lottery from 14 teams to 16, erects a «relegation zone» where bottom three sides are penalized with lessened chances to secure the No. 1 pick, and flattens draft odds.

In other words, the league is punishing its worst teams in the hopes of incentivizing winning. The «3-2-1» lottery will be implemented starting in 2026-27. It will last through at least 2029, per Charania.

Read more 2026 Baltic Sea Darts Open: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained