The NBA Board of Governors has officially approved a series of significant new anti-tanking rules designed to overhaul the league’s draft lottery system, according to sources via ESPN. The move marks one of the most substantial changes to the draft process in recent years as the league seeks to improve competitive integrity across all 30 franchises.
The new rules include an expansion of the draft lottery from 14 teams to 16 teams. In a major structural shift, the league will also implement a "relegation zone" for the bottom three teams in the standings. Under this new format, those three teams will be penalized with lessened chances of securing the No. 1 overall pick. Furthermore, the NBA will move to a flattened odds system to further discourage teams from racing to the bottom of the standings.
These changes are expected to take effect as the league continues to address concerns regarding teams intentionally losing games for high-profile prospects. By reducing the statistical advantage of finishing with the worst record, the Board of Governors aims to ensure that more teams remain competitive deep into the regular season.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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