Moreover, there’s a second scenario that also nearly involved the Nets that could be much more susceptible to bad behavior: that “anti-Spurs” rule that prevents teams from picking in the top five in three consecutive seasons. The Nets narrowly avoided being swept up in this one when they finished sixth in the 2026 lottery. Otherwise, they would have had even more 2026-27 tanking incentive, to avoid landing a top-five pick in 2027 that went to the Rockets and being flushed out of the top five entirely in the 2028 draft. Finishing in the bottom three in the standings reduces those odds from 39 percent to 28 percent. The other dodged quicksand involves the LA Clippers, who own a top-three protected 2029 first that otherwise goes to the Philadelphia 76ers.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: There’s a second scenario that also nearly involved …