After much confusion and a few rounds of votes, we are now all agreed: we are instituting a new draft lottery that is tied into the NBA draft lottery each year. MIA Kevin suggested using this and the measure passed with a 16 YES to 7 NO vote -- with seven abstaining. Thanks to OKC Zeya for breaking down all the differences between our old system and this new current one. Take a look at the RDA Lottery Type: Poll for a full explanation. [ How the NBA Draft Lottery's Top Pick Order Is Decided (2019) ]
Here's how the system works:
- Each of the fourteen RDA lottery teams will have their teams tied to an NBA team -- the one with the same lottery position as the RDA team. Note: Not to the actual NBA team that corresponds with the RDA franchise.
- When the NBA team has their lottery position revealed, that will also be the same for the RDA team.
- We then get to watch the NBA Lottery each season with our RDA fates on the line as well. Cue excitement!
Extra Detail:
- The draft lottery only applies for draft slots #1-14 of the first round.
- The draft slots for the remainder of the first round -- #15-30 -- and the entire second round -- #31-60 -- are determined by reverse order of regular season record.
NBA Lottery System:
- All fourteen lottery teams' odds are also determined by regular season standings (reverse order).
- Lottery odds: The lottery odds were slightly different from Son's original version, but the difference is very minimal. See the comparison chart here.
- Lottery: Only draft slots #1 through #4 — one through four — are selected via the lottery process. Any of the fourteen lottery teams can win one of those first four picks.
- After the first four picks/slots, the rest of the order is determined by the original regular season standings (reverse order).
- It’s impossible for any NBA team to move down more than four draft slots from their original slot, due to the rule above. Example: The team with the worst record could miss out on all four slots determined by the lottery, but then they would automatically be assigned the #5 draft slot as the team with the worst record of the remaining ten teams.
- It is also impossible for a team to move up to a higher draft slot unless it is up into the #1-4 position. Example: If you are the seventh worst team and you don't win one of the first four picks, you will get the seventh overall draft pick.
Some Ramifications:
- The NBA system provides draft slot protection for the worst teams, at the cost of encouraging them to tank closer to the bottom because they will have a guaranteed high pick. The better lottery teams won’t be able to jump to a higher draft pick unless they win the lottery for one of the top four picks.
- For trade purposes, it will be easier with the NBA system to predict the value of a first round draft pick since the final draft order is less randomized.
- The NBA system should create more enforcement of parity as the worst teams would know they are going to get good draft pick compensation and the better teams will only have a small chance of winning a #1-4 lottery pick.
- With no free agency among established RDA players, the draft is an important part of team building and thus providing the worser teams with a strong draft pick was seen as advantageous.