Adam Silver Considers Draft Changes
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed willingness to alter the NBA draft format and did not rule out penalizing teams for "tanking" during All-Star Saturday media availability. This follows recent six-figure fines for the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for violations of the league's player participation policy.
- The Utah Jazz were fined $500,000 for what the league deemed "conduct detrimental to the league" after benching starters Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. during the fourth quarter of two games. In one of those games, against the Orlando Magic, the Jazz blew a 17-point lead and lost. - The Indiana Pacers received a $100,000 fine for violating the league's Player Participation Policy by sitting three starters, including Pascal Siakam, in a game against the Jazz. An independent physician determined the players could have played. - The NBA's Competition Committee is re-examining the draft lottery system. Commissioner Adam Silver has stated that "every possible remedy" is being considered to stop teams from intentionally losing to improve their draft position. - This season's "tanking" is perceived to be worse than in recent memory, partly due to the belief that the upcoming draft class is particularly deep. - The league last adjusted the draft lottery odds in 2019 to discourage tanking, flattening the odds for the three worst teams from a 25% chance at the No. 1 pick to 14%. - Potential new anti-tanking measures that have been discussed include preventing teams from drafting in the top four in consecutive years and locking in lottery positions as of March 1st. - The NBA first introduced the draft lottery in 1985 to deter teams from losing on purpose. Prior to that, from 1966 to 1984, the teams with the worst record in each conference would have a coin flip for the first pick.
