NBA overhauls draft lottery to curb tanking with expanded field and weighted balls

The NBA approved a 2027–2029 revamp of the draft lottery to curb tanking by expanding the field from 14 to 16 teams and changing ball allocations: the three worst teams get two lottery balls, while the 4th–10th worst get three, reducing the incentive to finish last. The top pick still cannot be won in back-to-back years or three straight years, and the late-season race for the fourth-worst spot becomes pivotal. The measure passed 29–1 (Memphis Grizzlies opposed); the Jazz’s 2027 pick is affected by the new rules.