How to stop teams from tanking: have an auction.

There's a very simple way to stop the tanking that's going on in the NBA: eliminate the draft and replace it with an auction.

The way it would work is very simple:

• Instead of a draft slot, teams are given virtual money with which to sign players.
• The worse you are, the more money you get.
• Prospective players must announce themselves ready.
• Instead of a draft, teams bid as in an auction for prospects
• Bids are in order of player ranking
• The bid amount is equal to the guaranteed contract the prospective player signs
• Teams can offer two or three year contracts.
• Rookie scale rules apply
• The contract counts like a normal salary against the cap.
• Teams have only the money in hand with which to bid for all the players they might want.
• Run out of money, you can't bid anymore
• Teams can roll over 1/2 of the money not spent last year.

• Prospects can decline to sign with any team.
• Contracts are only guaranteed if committed to by the end of the auction.