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NBA Unveils ‘3-2-1’ Lottery, Expands to 16 Teams

4/29/2026

Summary

Silver Unveils Lottery

NBA commissioner Adam Silver unveiled the “3-2-1” lottery plan to stop tanking.
The lottery expands to 16 teams, adding play-in losers and 9th-10th seeds.
Teams fourth through tenth get three balls each, an 8.1% chance at No. 1.
The bottom three receive two balls and a No. 12 pick floor.
The plan bans back-to-back No. 1 picks and three straight top-5 picks, starting with the 2027 draft after a May 28 Board vote.

Summary

Silver Fines Teams

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said ending tanking has business, basketball and integrity implications and that the league fined Utah Jazz $500 K and Indiana Pacers $100 K for player-participation violations, signaling enforcement.
Critics warn the “3-2-1” plan could over-penalize rebuilding clubs, making top talent acquisition harder and devaluing future draft assets.
The system will sunset after the 2029 draft, allowing the NBA to adjust lottery odds or draft position for tanking teams.

History

Historical Context

After the 1984 coin-flip scandal, the NBA introduced a lottery in 1985 that gave each of the seven non-playoff teams a 1-in-7 (14.3%) chance at the No. 1 pick, with the New York Knicks winning that first draw. To curb modern tanking, the league expanded the 2024 “3-2-1” format, assigning three balls to every team from the fourth to the tenth seed, echoing the original anti-tanking intent.

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Silver Unveils Lottery

NBA commissioner Adam Silver unveiled the “3-2-1” lottery plan to stop tanking.
The lottery expands to 16 teams, adding play-in losers and 9th-10th seeds.
Teams fourth through tenth get three balls each, an 8.1% chance at No. 1.
The bottom three receive two balls and a No. 12 pick floor.
The plan bans back-to-back No. 1 picks and three straight top-5 picks, starting with the 2027 draft after a May 28 Board vote.

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