NBA Initiates Review of Tanking Policies

In a significant move for the league, the NBA has informed all 30 teams that it is commencing a renewed review of its policies regarding "tanking." This decision, reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, aims to address concerns surrounding fair competition and the integrity of the game.

Proposed Changes to Draft Processes

The league plans to examine critical aspects such as draft pick protections, revised draft lottery rules, and other approaches aimed at curbing tanking practices. Previously, the NBA made substantial changes to the lottery format in 2017, which took effect before the 2019 draft. Under the current system, the three teams with the worst records each hold an equal 14 percent chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick, a stark contrast to the previous format where the worst team had a 25 percent chance.

Play-In Tournament and Other Innovations

To further incentivize competitiveness, the NBA introduced the play-in tournament in 2020, allowing lower-seeded teams in both conferences additional opportunities to vie for playoff positions. In March, ESPN analysts Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton discussed potential solutions to the tanking issue with sources around the league. One notable proposal involves eliminating certain draft pick protections, allowing picks to only be top-four protected, lottery protected, or unprotected. Another concept includes flattening lottery odds even further to discourage teams from tanking.

Future Outlook

As the NBA seeks to enhance the competitive landscape, another change to its policies may soon be on the horizon. This move reflects the league's ongoing commitment to ensuring that all teams strive for success, rather than strategically losing to improve draft positioning.