The NBA put out its long-awaited rules designed to curb tanking through lottery reform. The rules are a little complicated, and include provisions that not only flatten lottery odds -- out is the old system of tons of ping pong ball combos, in is the 3-2-1 system where teams get (wait for it) three, two or one ball each. Next year, though, we'll see new wrinkles like a "relegation zone," where the three worst teams actually lose a ping pong ball. There are (minor) rules that restrict pick protections, and rules that limit how many seasons consecutively teams can draft in the top five. All of these are designed to remove the most obvious incentives to lose on purpose. Obviously the league can't keep teams from being bad. A certain amount of teams are going to suck every year, even when they're trying not to. What the league can do, however, is remove incentives for teams to lose on purpose, so more teams on more nights are actually attempting to win the game. This is likely where teams like the Lakers, who don't frequently find themselves in position to tank, will see the greatest difference. Standings in a conference as competitive as the West shouldn't be determined substantively by whether a team happens to play a lesser squad in November, before the tanking starts, or in March when they've thrown in the towel. There will surely be unintended consequences, and the League will have a chance to tweak or even scrap these rules after the 2029 season. But a new era in NBA drafting is upon us, and folks will be very interested to see how next season is impacted by it. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: New rules! New rules! SEGMENT 2: Did the NBA get it right? How do these new rules impact the purple and gold? SEGMENT 3: More on how the new rules -- and layoffs in El Segundo -- impact the Lakers. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGYThe funfetti flavor is BACK on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Confetti Craze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today! KALSHIFor a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.  DoorDashFrom tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.DoorDash. In your bag all season long. RugietGet 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhlRugiet. Performance medicine for men. IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)