“Blatantly unfair for the Grizz”, “This is rigged for Vegas” – NBA Fans Explode As Grizzlies Cast Lone Vote Against New Tanking Rules

The Memphis Grizzlies were the only team that was against the new lottery reform.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the NBA‘s Board of Governors has new anti-tanking rules on X. According to Charania, the lottery will expand from 14 teams to 16. The worst three teams will also be penalized with flattened odds and reduced opportunities for the No. 1 pick.

According to Charania, the Grizzlies voted against the new lottery reform only because it banned a team from selecting in the top five for three straight years. ESPN’s Bobby Marks said that Memphis has a better 2027 first-round pick than Cleveland, Minnesota or Utah.

Furthermore, according to Marks, the new regulations prevent the Utah Jazz‘s 2027 selection from being in the top 5.

After learning that Memphis was the only team that didn’t agree with the new rules, NBA fans shared their thoughts.

“This should be grandfathered in, blatantly unfair for the Grizz,” a fan said.

“My FC hits the jackpot and Silver says ‘nice try’. Game might be rigged,” another fan commented.

“This s**t is rigged for Vegas and the @nbafuturenow,” one fan said.

Other fans realized why Memphis did not agree with the new rules.

“The only logical team is the MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES,” someone commented.

“Well yeah. Theres no reason our pick WE TRADED FOR should be punished?” a comment read.

“why is the NBA so focused on tanking when the thing fans REALLY hate is flopping and load management,” one fan commented.

Why Did the Grizzlies Disagree With the New Draft Lottery Rules?

Last season, the Grizzlies traded star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz for a 2027 first-round pick. But since the Jazz have been in the top five for the past three years, the highest pick they could get would be at No. 6.

Initially, it was projected that the Jazz could draft the No. 2 pick. In most mock drafts, Utah was in the top three and has been linked to Darryn Peterson. The new rule changes things and could shift Memphis’ future.

“So, while the Grizzlies may have stood alone in opposition, they had every right to as it directly lowers the value of their most recent trade,” Sports Illustrated’s Austin Dobbins wrote. “Yet there’s a real chance this new system ends up favoring the exact type of organization they’ve built themselves into.”

Fans are eager to see how Memphis will perform in the upcoming draft since they hold Utah’s first-round pick.