The NBA is reportedly weighing a return to live televised draft lottery drawings if its proposed “3-2-1” system receives approval later this month. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the league would strongly consider broadcasting the lottery in real time for the first time since 1989.
The change would require backing from at least 23 of the 30 NBA teams to move forward, and it would mark a major departure from how the event is currently presented to fans. Under the new format, the existing setup—which uses 14 numbered Ping Pong balls and 1,001 possible combinations—would be scrapped. Instead, 37 Ping Pong balls displaying team logos would be used among the 16 lottery participants.
A live broadcast would also reshape the current behind-the-scenes procedures. At present, one team representative appears on stage during the broadcast, while another remains off-camera inside a secure lottery room alongside media witnesses. If approved, the new format could introduce one of the league’s most significant changes to lottery presentation in decades.
The proposal is scheduled for a vote on May 28. If it passes, the league is expected to quickly adopt the new system for the upcoming draft.
