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A new report suggests that many around the NBA are hoping to use the rumored option to end tanking, with the players union favoring instituting new ideas.

Tanking is nothing new in the NBA. However, with the 2026 NBA Draft projected to be one of the best prospect classes in many years, nearly a dozen teams have fully embraced the strategy in the final two minutes of the season. It’s gotten to the point where teams like the Utah Jazz have even inserted healthy impact players in the fourth quarter to ensure a loss.

This has disappointed NBA fans and infuriated Commissioner Adam Silver. Now, preventing the 2026 battle for the bottom tier from happening in future seasons is a top priority. This week, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed three ideas to be presented at the next Board of Governors meeting in an effort to end the practice.

On Saturday, Jake Fisher provided new insight on what opinion is around the league on those three ideas. According to an NBA insider, two popular ideas are expected to be introduced, with the 10 teams left out of the play-ins all having an 8% chance at the No. 1 pick. “This perception was strong among many general managers and owners even before the Board of Governors convened,” Fisher wrote.

Many also liked the idea of ​​expanding the lottery to 18 teams to include play-in participants. Fisher also said that “the league has expectations.” [having 18 clubs] “Teams will be encouraged to remain competitive through the end of the regular season.”

NBAPA wants to use EPL model to encourage winning

The insider reports that the three ideas are just concepts, and the one the league decides to go with could be a blend of parts of the three pitches.

Fisher also said that if the 18-team idea is used, players would like to see “the 10-worst teams share a 7% chance at No. 1, rather than 8%. The top selection is shared with the other eight teams in the lottery at a 3.75% chance.”

Additionally, players would like to see the NBA copy the English Premier League model to encourage winning. In that setup, franchises “could get an additional $10 million slice of the league’s national television revenue depending on where teams finish from 1 to 30 in the standings.”

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Fellow Serbian basketball product and Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic discusses Nikola Topic’s debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of Friday’s matchup at Paycom Center. Topic addressed the media for the first time since being diagnosed with testicular cancer last week. Jokic was thrilled to see Nikola begin his NBA career after such a scary setback.

jokic discussed the topic recent return With the Thunder, according to DNVR Nuggets.

Jokic said, “Of course, I played with him a little bit when he was with the national team. He’s a really good guy – really talented.” “He is the future of Serbian basketball. He is fighting for something that is probably more important – the most important – and he won it.”

Nikola Jokic on Nikola Topic:

“He is the future of Serbian basketball.”

“He’s fighting something that’s probably more important – most important – and he won it.” pic.twitter.com/EZyDAQcusL

– DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) 26 February 2026

Joc calling Topic the future of Serbian basketball is an eye-opening compliment, considering the Thunder rookie’s career is just getting started. He has also made impressive starts in leading the Thunder to wins against the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavs amid the absence of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After losing their last nine games, SGA will look to bounce back for Friday’s contest against the Nuggets.

The defending champions fell to 5-4 without Gilgeous-Alexander. Topic averaged 3.2 points on 43.8% shooting, including 40% from deep, 2.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 10.6 minutes in five games for the Thunder.

Thunder appoint Nikola Topic to G League amid SGA withdrawal

The Thunder signed Nikola Topic on Friday to join their G League affiliate, the Blue. After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the last nine games, the Thunder decided Topic’s time would be better suited to getting more reps with the Blue.

The Thunder’s G League affiliate is in the midst of a four-game home stand at Paycom Center. Following Friday’s matchup against the Nuggets, the Thunder will embark on a three-game road trip.