The new NBA strategy to further reduce tanking

The NBA has once again brought one of its most uncomfortable debates to the table: how to prevent teams from intentionally losing to improve their position in the Draft. In a context of increased surveillance following the recent gambling scandal, the league is analyzing various structural reforms that could significantly alter the current system.

One of the proposals that has gained more internal strength is changing the protections of traded picks. Instead of the usual "lottery-protected" picks, the NBA is considering limiting these clauses to more extreme ranges, such as the top-4 or even the top-14. The league believes that intermediate protections incentivize some teams to strategically lose games to avoid giving up their pick.

Another measure that has been discussed is preventing a franchise from selecting within the top four positions of the draft in consecutive seasons. The goal would be to halt prolonged tanking, forcing teams to compete the following year after receiving elite talent, rather than accumulating losses over several seasons.

It has also been considered to freeze the lottery positions from March 1 onwards, which would prevent franchises from manipulating the final stretch of the season by benching key players or artificially reducing competitiveness when the standings are already set.

More steps by the NBA towards total competition

These ideas add to a series of recent actions by the league. Last week, the NBA updated its rules on injury reports and continues to work with betting houses to determine which types of side bets are acceptable, in an attempt to strengthen the competitive integrity of the product.

In recent years, the league has already taken steps to combat tanking, fining teams for unjustified star player rests and agreeing with the players' union (NBPA) on minimum game limits to be eligible for individual awards. Rules have also been tightened regarding when healthy players can be rested.

Any change to the draft system will require approval from the NBA Board of Governors, a complex process that involves franchise consensus. The last major reform occurred in 2019 when the league equalized the odds for the three worst teams and expanded the lottery to the fourth pick.

Now, with the credibility of the game under scrutiny and tanking becoming increasingly sophisticated, the NBA is considering whether it's time for a more aggressive reform to protect the competitiveness of the league throughout the season.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La nueva estrategia de la NBA para reducir aún más el tanking