The NBA is officially drawing a line in the sand. In a major move to protect the integrity of the regular season, the league has declared it will implement a series of sweeping rule changes designed to dismantle the strategy of tanking—deliberately losing games to secure a higher draft pick. The new era of competition is set to tip off with the 2026-27 campaign.
Silver Sounds the Alarm
Commissioner Adam Silver delivered the message directly to the league's 30 general managers this week, confirming that the battle against tanking has entered a new, decisive phase. According to a report from ESPN's renowned insider Shams Charania, stakeholders have intensified their dialogue on the issue, signaling a unified front to combat what the league perceives as a significant problem. "Commissioner Adam Silver informed the league’s 30 general managers on Thursday that the NBA plans to make anti-tanking rule changes for next season," Charania reported, highlighting the immediacy of the league's planning.
A Toolkit of Potential Reforms
The proposed changes are bold and multifaceted, aiming to remove the incentives for teams to lose games down the stretch. The league is considering a robust menu of options to reshape the draft landscape. These potential reforms include:
- Lottery Odds Freeze: A team's draft lottery odds could be locked in at the trade deadline or another late-season date, preventing a late-season slide from improving their position.
- Consecutive Pick Restrictions: Teams may be barred from selecting in the top four in consecutive years, or after finishing in the bottom three in back-to-back seasons.
- Success Penalty: A team that reaches the conference finals could be prohibited from picking in the top four the following year.
- Two-Year Record Evaluation: Lottery odds could be calculated based on a team's combined record over the previous two seasons, rewarding sustained competitiveness.
- Expanded & Flattened Lottery: The draft lottery could be extended to include all play-in tournament teams, with odds flattened across the board to reduce the huge advantage of being the very worst.
- Pick Protection Limits: Future traded first-round picks might only be allowed to be protected for selections in the top four or outside the top 14, simplifying transactions and reducing loopholes.
The Road to 2026
By setting the implementation date for the 2026-27 season, the NBA is providing a substantial runway for teams to adjust their long-term strategies. This forward-looking approach allows front offices to plan for a new competitive reality where outright losing no longer guarantees a golden ticket to top talent. The decision underscores the league's commitment to ensuring every game matters and that the pursuit of victory remains the paramount objective from opening night to the final buzzer.
The conversation around tanking has simmered for years, with fans and analysts often criticizing teams that appear to prioritize future draft position over present-day effort. This comprehensive package of reforms represents the most aggressive step yet to address those concerns head-on. It shifts the focus back to player development, savvy management, and strategic team building, rather than a race to the bottom.
What's at Stake for the League
For the NBA, this is about more than just draft order; it's about product quality and fan engagement. Tanking can lead to unwatchable basketball in certain markets, damaging local interest and the league's overall brand. By implementing these changes, the league aims to foster a more competitive balance throughout the regular season, ensuring that hope and effort are alive in more cities for longer. It's a proactive move to safeguard the sport's credibility and the thrilling unpredictability that makes it great.
While the specific combination of rules that will be finalized remains under discussion, the direction is crystal clear. The NBA's message to its teams is unequivocal: build to win, not to lose. The 2026-27 season is now marked on the calendar as the beginning of a new, more competitive chapter in professional basketball.
