All the keys to the big proposal for the NBA Draft renewal

The NBA has presented franchise owners with a revised proposal to reform the Draft lottery before the scheduled vote on May 28. The new system includes several significant changes and clarifies how restrictions related to consecutive Draft picks would work, as reported by Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor.

The proposal envisions a format called "3-2-1," in which 37 lottery balls would be distributed among 16 teams.

The three worst teams of the season would receive two balls each, equating to a 5.4% chance. Teams ranked between the fourth and eighth worst records would get three balls each, increasing their odds to 8.1%.

Teams in the ninth and tenth positions qualifying for the play-in would receive two balls, while the loser of the seventh-eighth game would have only one ball.

Moreover, the 16 lottery selections would be drawn, and the three worst teams could not go below the 12th pick.

Adam Silver Would Have More Power Against Tanking

The proposal would also broaden Commissioner Adam Silver's authority to penalize tanking or "intentionally losing" strategies.

Silver could adjust lottery odds or alter Draft positions if a team is deemed to have deliberately attempted to lose for better draft picks.

Restrictions on Consecutive Picks

One of the most relevant points in the document is the clarification on the rule preventing a team from obtaining the top pick in two consecutive Drafts or being in the top 5 for three straight years.

The NBA specifies that the restriction applies to the team that originally got the pick, not the franchise that later acquired it through a trade.

"In the event that a team's selection is drawn in a prohibited position, that selection will be relocated to the first allowed position," the league text states.

The Rules Would Be Retroactive

The league also proposes applying these rules retroactively, potentially affecting past trades.

2026 lottery winner Washington Wizards would not be able to secure the top pick again in 2027.

Utah Jazz, picking fifth in 2025 and second in 2026, would also be barred from the top 5 in 2027. The issue is that Utah traded that selection to the Memphis Grizzlies in the deal for Jaren Jackson Jr., so Memphis would also be subject to that limitation.

Potential Effects on Future Trades

The retroactivity could impact the value of previously agreed-upon deals.

Houston Rockets hold swap rights for future first-rounders of Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant trade. Should Phoenix secure the fifth pick in 2027 and the third in 2028, the 2029 selection could not be in the top five due to the new rule.

This would retroactively diminish the value of a trade negotiated years before.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Todas las claves de la gran propuesta de renovación del NBA Draft