NBA's 3-2-1 Lottery Plan Clouds Giannis Trade Talks as 16 Teams Would Enter Draw
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · May 13
NBA's 3-2-1 Lottery Plan Clouds Giannis Trade Talks as 16 Teams Would Enter Draw
7 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · May 13
May 28 looms as the key date for Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, with NBA governors expected to approve a 3-2-1 lottery format that executives say could curb movement of future first-round picks.
Under the proposed system, 16 teams—not 14—would enter the lottery, and clubs with the fourth- through 10th-worst records would each get an 8.1% shot at the No. 1 pick.
That wider path to the top selection raises the value of holding first-rounders, though a team trading for Antetokounmpo would likely expect to stay out of the lottery as a contender.
Milwaukee still appears likely to find a buyer willing to send multiple firsts for the 31-year-old two-time MVP, but if offers soften, the Bucks could keep him through next season under his current contract.
Has the NBA's new lottery system effectively ended the era of blockbuster trades built on future draft picks?
By trying to kill tanking, did the NBA accidentally create a permanent 'mushy middle' with its new draft lottery?