NBA Unveils Anti-Tanking Plan with Revised Draft Lottery Structure, Mark Cuban Predicts Surge in Trades The NBA has finalized its new anti-tanking plan, which aims to reshape the league’s draft lottery system and incentivize competitive play. The proposal, revealed on Wednesday, introduces a 3-2-1 structure for draft lottery odds, with 16 teams eligible for the first overall pick. The system replaces the previous model, where the bottom three teams had an equal 14% chance at the top selection. Under the new framework, the three worst teams in the standings will receive only two ping-pong balls in the lottery basket, granting them a 5.4% chance at the first pick. All other teams not qualifying for the play-in tournament will have three balls, offering an 8.1% chance. The owners’ vote to approve the plan is scheduled for May 28. The revised system simplifies and flattens the odds compared to the prior structure, which critics argued disproportionately rewarded tanking teams. The NBA’s decision to lower the chances for the league’s worst performers has been praised as a strategic move to encourage competitiveness even after playoff elimination. Mark Cuban, a co-owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a vocal NBA analyst, has already weighed in on the potential implications of the new system. In a detailed tweet, Cuban predicted that the number of trades involving first-round picks will “explode” in the coming years. Cuban argued that the increased value of first-round selections will drive teams to engage in more aggressive trade negotiations. He outlined a hypothetical scenario in which a team with a strong young core but insufficient playoff chances might trade its future first-round picks and key players for a shot at securing a top draft prospect, such as Victor Wembanyama.#nba #dallas_mavericks #cooper_flagg #mark_cuban #draft_lottery
Brandi Glanville Turns to Mark Cuban’s Pharmacy to Curb Medication Costs Amid Facial Disfigurement Brandi Glanville, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, has partnered with Mark Cuban’s pharmacy company, Cost Plus Drugs, to address the exorbitant costs of her medications, which she attributes to her facial disfigurement caused by breast implants. The 53-year-old businesswoman revealed she has accumulated over $200,000 in medical bills, citing a lack of transparency and inflated pricing from traditional pharmacies. Rachel Strauss, CEO of healthcare consulting firm PBM Princess, LLC, has been working with Glanville to navigate her financial challenges and secure refunds for overcharged medications. Strauss explained that Glanville’s medical expenses were exacerbated by inconsistent pricing across pharmacies. By analyzing Glanville’s medication records, Strauss found significant discrepancies in costs for the same drugs, with some medications priced up to 70-80% higher at other pharmacies. For instance, drugs that cost between $29 and $30 at standard pharmacies were available for as low as $6 to $8 at Cost Plus Drugs. Strauss emphasized that Glanville’s trust in her pharmacy’s pricing led to financial strain, but the partnership with Cuban’s company allowed her to access drastically reduced costs. Glanville’s medical journey began three years ago when she started experiencing symptoms such as brain fog, joint pain, and facial disfigurement. After visiting 21 doctors, she was diagnosed with complications from her breast implants. A ruptured implant on her right side had leaked silicone into her lymph nodes, leading to severe health issues. Glanville reported feeling relief after removing the implants, though the process was financially and emotionally taxing.#brandi_glanville #mark_cuban #cost_plus_drugs #rachel_strauss #pbm_princess_llc
