How do the NBA drafts work

Last Modified May 14, 2024 08:37 GMT
Image credits: Getty Images

The NBA Draft is a pivotal period for basketball players dreaming to play in the biggest basketball league in the world. It is a two day period that marks the occasion of professional teams in the league choosing eligible basketball players to join their rosters.

In this sense, the NBA Draft essentially sets up players to be the future of the league not just on the court but beyond as well. The NBA draft is held once a year and is meant to reignite the league with a fresh pool of talent and competition from the top college programs in the country and from overseas leagues.

Over the years, some of the most notable number one draft picks have been LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan to name a few. That being said, it is not merely the position at which the players get drafted that determines their success. Testament to this are Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert who were drafted low in the NBA draft, but are regarded as one of the best players in the league.

How does the NBA draft work?

The NBA closely monitors and regulates the draft to ensure fairness and to uphold the competitive spirit of the game. In doing so, there are many processes to ensure the workings and success of the NBA Draft. These include ensuring that only eligible players are invited to the draft, setting up and conducting the draft lottery, setting the draft order, conducting the draft in a phased manner, monitoring the status and facilitating trades of drafted players and lastly monitoring the status of undrafted players.

Eligibility for the NBA draft

Players are allowed to declare and enter the draft if they are eligible. The NBA has a list of eligibility criteria to determine if the player can take part in the draft. The most basic amongst these include being at least 19 years of age and having completed high school education at least one year prior to the declaration of the draft.

Draft Lottery Picks

The NBA Draft Lottery follows a lottery system to determine the order of the draft for the first few picks of the NBA draft. In the lottery, only those teams who did not take part in the playoffs in the previous season get the opportunity to win a high draft pick. Typically it is seen that the team with the worst regular season record has the highest potential to land the number one draft pick.

Draft Order

After the lottery order is set, the remaining non-playoff teams are ordered based on their regular season record. The teams with poor records get preference in being placed earlier in the draft. After the non-playoff teams are ordered, the playoff teams are provided with an order based on how they fared in the postseason.

Draft Rounds

The next stage is drafting the players who are in the NBA draft. This is the stage at which NBA teams choose which players become a part of their roster for the future. Typically, the draft happens in two rounds with each team having at least one pick in each round.

However, it is possible that teams do not have picks in the two rounds as they may have traded away the picks to other teams in the past. There is a time limit of around four to five minutes between each pick. If the team fails to make a pick between the time elapses, they will have to forfeit the pick.

Monitoring of Picks

The players who are drafted become part of the official NBA team roster. However, it is upto the agreement between the team and the player whether the player will immediately play for the franchise or if he is required to complete education or spend time training before making their NBA debut.

Undrafted Players

There are cases where players who have declared for the draft, do not get picked by any NBA team. In this case, the undrafted players become unrestricted free agents. This means that they can sign with any team as long as there is a mutual agreement between the player and the team.

FAQ'S on How do the NBA drafts work

A. The team that gets the first overall pick in the NBA draft is decided through the Draft Lottery.

A. The minimum age to be eligible to enter into the NBA draft is 19 years.

A. The number one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was Victor Wembanyama..

A. The 2024 NBA Draft will be held on June 26 and 27, 2024.

A. Alexandre Sarr is projected to be the number one overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Related Stories

Kawhi Leonard makes feelings clear on leading from the front after lengthy playoff hiatus Kawhi Leonard makes feelings clear on leading from the front after lengthy playoff hiatus
Kawhi Leonard makes feelings clear on leading from the front after lengthy playoff hiatus
1d
5 NBA stars surprisingly snubbed from 2025 awards race in key categories 5 NBA stars surprisingly snubbed from 2025 awards race in key categories
5 NBA stars surprisingly snubbed from 2025 awards race in key categories
Which NBA player made Time's 100 Most Influential People list alongside Pope Francis? Exploring NBA great's historic 2019 achievement Which NBA player made Time's 100 Most Influential People list alongside Pope Francis? Exploring NBA great's historic 2019 achievement
Which NBA player made Time's 100 Most Influential People list alongside Pope Francis? Exploring NBA great's historic 2019 achievement
Knicks superfan Ben Stiller laments bizarrely critical headline on $60,000,000 opening for Michael B. Jordan's Sinners Knicks superfan Ben Stiller laments bizarrely critical headline on $60,000,000 opening for Michael B. Jordan's Sinners
Knicks superfan Ben Stiller laments bizarrely critical headline on $60,000,000 opening for Michael B. Jordan's Sinners
Jayson Tatum Injury Update: NBA insider's latest update on Celtics star raises concern over his playoff availability for Game 2 Jayson Tatum Injury Update: NBA insider's latest update on Celtics star raises concern over his playoff availability for Game 2
Jayson Tatum Injury Update: NBA insider's latest update on Celtics star raises concern over his playoff availability for Game 2
23h
"Yin and Yang" - NBA fans discuss Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler's fully opposite whistles in Warriors-Rockets Game 1 "Yin and Yang" - NBA fans discuss Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler's fully opposite whistles in Warriors-Rockets Game 1
"Yin and Yang" - NBA fans discuss Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler's fully opposite whistles in Warriors-Rockets Game 1 
Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder Prediction and Betting Tips - April 22 | 2025 NBA Playoffs, Game 2 Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder Prediction and Betting Tips - April 22 | 2025 NBA Playoffs, Game 2
Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder Prediction and Betting Tips - April 22 | 2025 NBA Playoffs, Game 2
1d
Atlanta's drastic measure to pull the plug on GM Landry Fields leaves fans puzzled Atlanta's drastic measure to pull the plug on GM Landry Fields leaves fans puzzled
Atlanta's drastic measure to pull the plug on GM Landry Fields leaves fans puzzled
"It's kind of a joke": Nico Harrison brushes off Casey Smith fallout as Mavs' turmoil reaches new heights "It's kind of a joke": Nico Harrison brushes off Casey Smith fallout as Mavs' turmoil reaches new heights
"It's kind of a joke": Nico Harrison brushes off Casey Smith fallout as Mavs' turmoil reaches new heights
Nico Harrison admits he underestimated size of Luka Doncic's importance to the Dallas fans Nico Harrison admits he underestimated size of Luka Doncic's importance to the Dallas fans
Nico Harrison admits he underestimated size of Luka Doncic's importance to the Dallas fans
1d
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications