{"id":290004,"date":"2026-04-28T17:50:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/290004\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T17:50:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:50:21","slug":"how-could-the-nba-draft-lottery-reform-affect-rebuilds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/290004\/","title":{"rendered":"How could the NBA Draft Lottery reform affect rebuilds?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sacramento Kings are staring down a pivotal offseason, but looming NBA Draft Lottery reform could significantly reshape how their rebuild unfolds.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Sactown Sports\u2019 Kings insider Brenden Nunes joined The Drive Guys<\/a> to break down how the league\u2019s proposed changes\u2014reported by The Athletic\u2018s Sam Amick earlier this week<\/a>\u2014might alter Sacramento\u2019s path forward.<\/p>\n

Under the leading proposal, 18 teams would enter the lottery, with the bottom 10 each receiving an equal 8% chance at the No. 1 pick. That flattens the odds compared to the current system, where the worst teams are rewarded more heavily.<\/p>\n

For a Sacramento Kings team coming off a 22-60 season\u2013one that resulted in the fifth-best odds in May 10th\u2019s Lottery\u2013 that shift could cut both ways.<\/p>\n

\"INGLEWOOD,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More on the NBA Draft Lottery Reform<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think anything\u2019s going to fix tanking, to be honest,\u201d Nunes said. \u201cNo matter what, you\u2019re going to see some teams try to reach that threshold.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Sacramento specifically, the change could lessen the urgency of a full teardown. Rather than aggressively bottoming out, the Kings could attempt a \u201chybrid rebuild\u201d\u2014remaining somewhat competitive while still holding a meaningful lottery shot.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could bring guys back, still try to develop, and guess what\u2014we\u2019re still going to have that 8% chance,\u201d Nunes explained.<\/p>\n

But that middle ground comes with risks. Flattened odds reduce the reward for being among the league\u2019s worst teams, which historically has been one of the few reliable paths for small-market franchises to land franchise-altering talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lottery is the most important for small-market teams,\u201d Nunes said. \u201cAnd it feels like this hurts them.\u201d<\/p>\n

That concern is amplified when looking at Sacramento\u2019s current situation. The Sacramento Kings are still searching for a true cornerstone player, something Nunes emphasized remains essential.<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

Sacramento Kings GM Scott Perry (Photo by Rocky Widner\/NBAE via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all crossing our fingers for the lottery for the sake of this organization moving forward,\u201d he said, noting that an 8% chance \u201cwould feel really bad\u201d compared to the current structure.<\/p>\n

Another unintended consequence could be new forms of strategic losing. Instead of teams racing to the very bottom, the incentive may shift to simply finishing inside the bottom 10.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m the 11th team, I\u2019m really trying to get to that top 10,\u201d Nunes pointed out. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be back in the same conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, while the proposal aims to improve the on-court product and discourage blatant tanking, its real impact may not be clear for years.<\/p>\n

As Nunes put it: \u201cThere\u2019s not going to be this much manipulation every single season, but I just don\u2019t know that there\u2019s a way to fix this.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the Sacramento Kings, that uncertainty only adds another layer to an already complex rebuild\u2014one that may soon require adapting to a very different lottery landscape.<\/p>\n

Listen to\u00a0The Drive Guys\u00a0from 2 \u2013 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Kings will now look ahead to the highly anticipated NBA Draft Lottery, which is set for Sunday, May 10th.<\/p>\n

Sacramento hasn\u2019t secured the top pick in the NBA Draft since 1989, when it selected center Pervis Ellison with the first overall selection.<\/p>\n

Be sure to stay locked in to Sactown Sports 1140 all offseason for NBA Draft Lottery coverage, NBA Draft previews and analysis, NBA Summer League content, and MUCH more!<\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n

Sunday, May 10th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft Lottery
\nThursday, June 4th\u2013 NBA Finals begin
\nThursday, June 25th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)
\nFriday, June 26th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)
\nTuesday, June 30th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
\nThursday, July 9th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
\nMonday, July 13th\u00a0\u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

Follow @FCartoscelli3<\/a><\/p>\n

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