NBA Set to Approve 3-2-1 Draft Lottery for 18 Teams as 2027 Rollout Nears
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 20
NBA Set to Approve 3-2-1 Draft Lottery for 18 Teams as 2027 Rollout Nears
9 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 20
ESPN reported the NBA is expected to approve a new 3-2-1 draft lottery system at next week's board of governors meeting.
The format would give as many as 18 teams a realistic shot at the No. 1 pick, injecting more randomness into lottery outcomes than the current system.
The change would begin with the 2027 draft and run through 2029, when the league's current collective bargaining agreement expires.
That overhaul could quickly reshape how teams price future draft picks in trades, especially with 18 teams already owing first-round picks or swaps across the next three drafts.
Oklahoma City and San Antonio stand out in that landscape, controlling a combined 20 first-round picks and 30 second-round picks over the next eight years.
Will the NBA's new lottery accidentally incentivize teams to be mediocre instead of truly terrible?
As new lottery rules devalue top picks, how can high-spending 'apron' teams still build for the future?
NBA 3-2-1 Draft Lottery Reform (2027-2029): Will Flattened Odds Finally End Tanking?
Overview
The NBA Board of Governors is set to vote on May 28, 2026, on the proposed '3-2-1' Draft Lottery Reform, aiming to address the long-standing issue of tanking. This reform is designed to change how teams approach the end of their seasons by flattening lottery odds and expanding the lottery pool, making it less rewarding to lose intentionally. The new system seeks to protect the integrity of competition, discourage strategic losing, and keep fans engaged by ensuring every game matters. If approved, it will mark a significant step in the league’s ongoing efforts to maintain fairness and excitement.