The Tanking Problem Nobody Wants to Fix
Let’s be honest — the NBA has a tanking problem. Every season, as soon as a team realizes they’re not a contender, they pull the plug on effort, shut down their stars, and “rebuild.” It’s a polite way of saying: we’re losing on purpose for better draft odds.
But that’s not competition — that’s manipulation.
The NBA Draft Lottery was intended to prevent teams from intentionally losing, but in reality, it merely reshuffled the same flawed incentives. Teams still tank; they just hope the ping pong balls bounce their way.
The Lottery Has Created Winners and Losers — Literally
Since the NBA lottery began in 1985, the distribution of number-one picks has been shockingly uneven:
- Cleveland Cavaliers – 4 times (6 top picks total)
- Orlando Magic – 4 times
- Philadelphia 76ers – 3 times
- San Antonio Spurs – 3 times
That’s 16 number-one picks between just four teams.
Meanwhile, franchises like Denver, Indiana, Miami, Memphis, Oklahoma City (formerly Seattle), and Utah have never received a number-one overall pick.
Entire organizations have gone decades without a fair shot, while others seem to win the lottery like it’s a family tradition.
An Alphabetical Draft Order: The Fair Fix
Here’s how it would work:
- In Year 1, the Atlanta Hawks (A) get the first overall pick.
- The next year, they slide down to No. 2, and the Washington Wizards (W) move up to No. 1.
- The pattern continues — A to Z in Round 1, then Z to A in Round 2.
So, if the Wizards get the No. 1 pick in Year 2, they’ll have the last pick in Round 2 — keeping the system balanced.
Each year, the order naturally rotates, ensuring that every team, regardless of market size or luck, eventually gets the top draft spot.
Why It Works
This alphabetical system does three major things:
- Eliminates the incentive to tank.
There’s no reason to lose games on purpose when the alphabet already sets your draft position. - Guarantees every team an equal shot at the No. 1 pick.
Over a 30-year rotation, every franchise will draft first at least once, ensuring long-term equity. - Restores fan trust by removing suspicion.
Let’s be real — not everyone believes the NBA lottery is random. Many fans suspect the league manages outcomes to favor certain franchises, star markets, or storylines.
The alphabetical system removes all doubt — no ping pong balls, no envelopes, no conspiracy theories. Just order, fairness, and transparency.
Fairness Over Fortune
Sports should reward effort, not luck.
The NBA draft lottery rewards incompetence disguised as “rebuilding.” An alphabetical rotation would bring back something the league desperately needs — accountability and trust.
The NBA has experimented with in-season tournaments, play-in games, and salary caps. Maybe it’s time they experiment with something that truly levels the playing field.
Because at the end of the day, the ping pong ball era has failed.
It’s time to let the alphabet decide.
Social Caption
The NBA’s biggest problem isn’t just tanking — it’s trust.
The lottery rewards losing, fuels conspiracy theories, and keeps the same teams lucky.
Let’s fix it with fairness: draft by alphabetical order — no luck, no tanking, no bias.