Haliburton said the winner should get a guaranteed playoff spot, which is a nice idea for incentive but probably wouldn’t work because the teams that won could just half-ass it the rest of the season.
I have a couple non-in depth incentives in mind, in addition to the cash prizes.
- If the winner of the in-season tournament makes the playoffs, they get to choose their first round opponent. Would create lots of drama and storylines, while also increasing viewership.
If the winner of the in-season tournament doesn’t make the playoffs, they get increased lottery odds. Still a very good incentive for bad or young teams.
- The team who wins gets an extra first round pick. Probably a lesser incentive compared to the first one, but still something teams would want.
What incentives would you guys add if the in-season tournament is permanent?
I think they should make the first round of the NBA draft 31 picks and have the 31st pick go to the In-Season tournament winner. Giving the winner basically and extra pick to draft someone and sign to 4 years like any other 1st rounder would incentive every team even the really good teams who might be right against the cap or teams who might have traded away a 1st this would be a good incentive to recoup it.
This has always been my top choice.