The lottery apparatus used by the National Basketball Association employs numbered spheres to determine the draft order for teams that did not make the playoffs. These small, lightweight balls, each bearing a unique number combination, are central to a process designed to ensure fairness and randomness in assigning early draft picks.
This method of selection is significant because it impacts the future competitive balance of the league. Teams with lower winning percentages have a chance to acquire top talent through the draft, potentially accelerating their rebuilding process and improving their overall performance. Historically, this system has been implemented to discourage teams from intentionally losing games to secure a better draft position.