NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s efforts to combat tanking culminate this week as owners vote on a revised lottery reform, the “3-2-1” proposal, aimed at flattening draft odds and expanding the lottery to 16 teams. This change raises concerns among executives about the impact on trading draft picks, particularly for teams that have already dealt their first-round selections. The proposal would penalize the three worst teams with fewer lottery balls and grant Silver expanded powers to punish perceived tanking. Critics argue that this move undermines the draft’s purpose of aiding struggling teams, potentially prolonging their challenges and alienating fans.
