Planet Money vs. the NBA’s tanking problem

The NBA's tanking problem, where teams intentionally lose to improve draft picks, is examined, along with potential solutions. The current draft system's incentives are explored, highlighting how teams exploit the rules, such as the Houston Rockets in 1984. Proposed reforms include the "draft wheel," which assigns draft picks randomly over 30 years, and the "gold plan" from women's hockey, incentivizing teams eliminated from playoffs to compete for the highest pick. The NWSL's decision to eliminate their draft entirely, allowing open market competition for players, is also considered. While each plan has trade-offs, the discussion emphasizes balancing the needs of the league, teams, players, and fans to promote fair competition.