The NBA’s board of governors voted in favor of draft lottery reform and anti-tanking measures that will take effect next season, the league announced Thursday.
The changes will see the lottery expand from 14 to 16 teams, with a new “3-2-1” format meant to discourage intentionally racing to the very bottom of the standings. The league’s three worst teams will be placed in a “relegation zone” that gives them only a 5.4% chance to win the lottery, whereas the fourth- through 10th-worst teams that fail to qualify for the play-in tournament will receive three balls each out of 37 (an 8.1% chance).
Though their odds have decreased, the three worst teams will be given a floor that guarantees a top-12 pick, while the remaining lottery teams could land anywhere in the top 16.