Started By
Message

Adam Silver floating the idea of abolishing the NBA Draft to end tanking...

Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:03 am
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
128681 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:03 am
They would just get rid of the draft and make every rookie a FA. Shoe companies would just offer ungodly sums to have guys sign with the same 5 teams on low deals.



Silver almost gets it. Get rid of lotto. Worst teams get the best picks just like in the NFL. Fine teams substantially larger sums (millions) for blatant tanking (keeping healthy players out of games)
Posted by saturday
Pronoun (Baw)
Member since Feb 2007
7835 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:07 am to
Or just give every team that doesn't make the playoffs one lotto ball
Posted by RohanGonzales
Member since Apr 2024
9007 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:11 am to
That is an alien-looking motherfricker
Posted by TheWalrus
Land of the Hogs
Member since Dec 2012
46478 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:11 am to
They’ll just make up injuries like the Jazz did with JJJ. Doing it like the NFL would make things ten times worse.
Posted by S
RIP Wayde
Member since Jan 2007
170211 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:14 am to
Nosferatu
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
128681 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:17 am to
quote:

Doing it like the NFL would make things ten times worse.


I actually don't agree. I think the Lotto has created a whole new problem.

The bottom teams might tank bad, but I think less teams overall would
Posted by Harry Caray
Denial
Member since Aug 2009
20720 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:19 am to
quote:

abolishing the NBA Draft
I kind of don't hate the idea in theory, as long as luxury taxes are effective enough in attempting to "level the field." But clearly, the field under the current format doesn't want to be leveled.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
471013 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:20 am to
quote:

Get rid of lotto. Worst teams get the best picks just like in the NFL.

This will create mega tanking. The lottery was created because teams have been tanking for 40+ years.

There is no rational solution because the teams have effectively solved the NBA and are acting completely rationally. When the league attempts to change things, the teams adapt, solve it, and keep going.

It's similar to offense
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
128681 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:21 am to
quote:

This will create mega tanking.


For a couple of teams.

I would argue that the Lotto created it so now 10 teams want to be bad instead of 3
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
471013 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:21 am to
quote:

I kind of don't hate the idea in theory, as long as luxury taxes are effective enough in attempting to "level the field."


2 things

1. Luxury taxes punish teams who draft well. OKC is on borrowed time for this reason after drafting insanely (following tanking).

2. Tanking works and has been shown to work for decades. This is the biggest problem with trying to fix it. Tanking works
Posted by sgallo3
Lake Charles
Member since Sep 2008
26079 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:22 am to
quote:

just give every team that doesn't make the playoffs one lotto ball

Yeah something like this
Posted by Harry Caray
Denial
Member since Aug 2009
20720 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:23 am to
quote:

2. Tanking works and has been shown to work for decades. This is the biggest problem with trying to fix it. Tanking works

As an Astros fan I'm not going to argue against that at all but I can see why a league would do everything in its power to deter teams from losing on purpose
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
471013 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:24 am to
quote:

I would argue that the Lotto created it so now 10 teams want to be bad instead of 3

No what happened was the hyper rationality I spoke of.

Teams today don't delude themselves or want to be mid (well, most teams, there are teams like the Pelicans and Bulls who don't want to win) and will blow it up even as lower playoff teams.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
471013 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:25 am to
quote:

but I can see why a league would do everything in its power to deter teams from losing on purpose

No I get this, but it's just going to take something likely irrational AND subjective, which will create its own set of problems, similar to what the league will have to do with the 3 pointer.

Arguing that teams are solving the league is a different discussion than one of aesthetics, both in terms of management and play.
Posted by moneyg
Member since Jun 2006
62502 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:29 am to
quote:

Silver almost gets it. Get rid of lotto. Worst teams get the best picks just like in the NFL.


Not saying this is a bad idea...but it doesn't make tanking less likely...it makes it more likely.

quote:

Fine teams substantially larger sums (millions) for blatant tanking (keeping healthy players out of games)



The fines would have to be massive. "Millions" isn't a meaningful number. It would probably have to be in the 50M range.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
128681 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:32 am to
quote:

Not saying this is a bad idea...but it doesn't make tanking less likely...it makes it more likely.



I'm ok with the worst teams tanking. This would help them get better.

It would add hope to some franchises, just like the NFL
Posted by Draconian Sanctions
Markey's bar
Member since Oct 2008
88509 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:34 am to
this is a good idea
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
128681 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:34 am to
Yes, I am sure as a Lakers fan you love it.

Being objective for the other 29 teams, how would this be good?
Posted by LSUFanHouston
NOLA
Member since Jul 2009
40490 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:35 am to
The real problem is there are too many games.

1) there is a ton of season left when teams realize they will not make the playoffs - we have teams tanking before the all star break

2) too many games causes this load management crap

3) there is an overall lack of talent entering the draft so teams think they need a top 15 pick to get anyone who can actually help them. And younger talented players don’t need as much load management.
This post was edited on 2/16/26 at 10:37 am
Posted by LSUFanHouston
NOLA
Member since Jul 2009
40490 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:36 am to
quote:

I'm ok with the worst teams tanking. This would help them get better.


Only with adequate coaching and administration

Which the NBA also has a shortage of
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 4Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram