If the NBA’s proposed “3-2-1” lottery system is approved on May 28, the league is expected to seriously consider bringing the draft lottery drawing back to live television, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
The change would mark the first live televised lottery drawing since 1989 and could significantly alter how the event is presented to fans.
The proposal requires approval from 23 of the league’s 30 teams in order to move forward.
Under the proposed format, the NBA would move away from the current system that uses 14 numbered Ping Pong balls and 1,001 possible combinations.
Instead, the new process would feature 37 Ping Pong balls displaying team logos across the 16 lottery participants.
A live drawing would also change the current behind-the-scenes setup.
Teams currently send one representative to appear on stage during the broadcast while another team official remains off-camera inside the secured lottery room alongside media witnesses during the drawing process.
If approved, the format could create one of the league’s biggest changes to the lottery presentation in decades.
NBA’s Proposed 3-2-1 Lottery Could Bring Live TV Drawing Back For First Time Since 1989 https://t.co/D9kzVuSIDM
— RealGM (@RealGM) May 11, 2026
