The main topic of discussion this spring is the NBA new lottery reform plan “3-2-1”. hasn’t happened as often as training camp begins this week, but NBA executives expect the changes to have a big impact on the upcoming season, writes Mike Varkunow of The Athletic.
According to Varkunov, the gap between the best and worst teams in the league has grown in recent years. Five of the 20 best net ratings in NBA history have been posted by teams in the last three seasons, and in each of those three years, new records were set for the number of games decided by 25 points or more. There is optimism among chiefs that games will be more competitive in 2026/27, even in the second half of the season when teams usually struggle.
“I think it’s going to be the most competitive league we’ve seen, maybe ever.” President of the Timberwolves Tim Connelly said. “From top to bottom, there’s no one incentivized to lose, which is very good for the NBA.”
“We think we’re going to see clean ratings and records more like (the 1980s).” Executive Vice President Sam Presti said. “Not because of the style of play or anything like that, but the bottom of the league is going to be a lot stronger. I don’t know that you’re going to see teams with the net ratings that you’ve seen in the past, or even maybe some of the records. … I couldn’t be more excited about the season. I think it’s going to be very competitive, but I don’t know that we’re going to see a net 10 team everywhere.”
Here are some more odds from around the world of basketball:
- ESPN’s NBA Insiders preview the 2026/27 season posed one main question for each of the league’s 30 teams to answer, and Ben Golliver ranked the eight most intriguing players who changed teams this summer and identified five head coaches who could find themselves on the hot seat if they don’t live up to expectations this season.
- In addition, ESPN’s Bobby Marks released a massive training camp preview that breaks down each team’s lineup, highlights a key camp storyline to watch for each club, and outlines the players eligible to sign extensions before and/or during the season.
- Former St. Louis Center Robbie AvilaWorld Health Organization reached a preliminary agreement sign Annex 10 of the transaction with Lakers remains in limbo ahead of the 2026/27 season after missing the draft in June. Avila re-enrolled in St. Louis as a graduate student and hopes to play a fifth season, for Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlogbut his lawsuit has been delayed as the NCAA insists on taking it to federal court and its representatives have challenged sending it back to district court, tweets This is Durando.
- G League United won the 2026 FIBA International Cup last weekend, with Eric Dixon receiving the Most Valuable Player award (story via FIBA). It was the first time since 1974 that a team from the United States won the six-team competition that included clubs from China, Argentina, Lithuania and Rwanda. Dixon was recently signed and waived Grizzlies and is expected to play in the G League for the Memphis Hustle this fall.
