Adam Sliver Will Consider Ending The Draft To Prevent Tanking

In a league always grappling with the issue of tanking, where teams deliberately lose games to secure higher draft picks, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has floated one of the most radical ideas yet: abolishing the draft entirely. As the NBA All-Star Weekend unfolds in Inglewood, California, reports have emerged that Silver and his advisors are "seriously considering" scrapping the traditional rookie draft and replacing it with a free agency system for incoming players. 

This potential overhaul aims to eliminate the incentives for tanking. Still, it has sparked intense debate among fans, analysts, and team executives about the future of competitive balance in the league.

How Would a Draft-Free NBA Work?

Under this hypothetical system, incoming rookies, fresh from college, international leagues, or the G League, would enter the NBA as free agents, negotiating contracts with interested teams. This could mirror how veteran free agency operates today, with salary caps and bird rights still in play to maintain some parity. Proponents argue it would force teams to compete on merit, culture, and development rather than relying on lottery luck or intentional losses.

However, critics warn of unintended consequences. Small-market teams, already at a disadvantage in attracting free agents due to location and market size, could struggle even more. This system could mirror what is going on in the EPL (English Premier League), which is dominated by big-city football clubs. Others suggest simpler fixes, like reversing the lottery to give better odds to teams just missing the playoffs or eliminating pick protections in trades.

Looking Ahead: A League in Flux

Adam Silver's tenure has been marked by innovation, from the In-Season Tournament to expanded playoffs, but this draft proposal represents a seismic shift. Whether it materializes or serves as leverage to push milder reforms remains to be seen. For now, it underscores the NBA's ongoing quest for fairness in a star-driven sport. As one league official told Vardon, the goal is to "protect paying customers from forking over money to watch their teams lose on purpose." If tanking continues unchecked, the draft's days might indeed be numbered.