NBA Draft Footer 101

The NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is an annual event in which National Basketball Association (NBA) teams select eligible college basketball players to join their teams. It consists of two rounds, during which teams select players in a predetermined order. The selection order is determined by the teams' records from the previous season and the results of the NBA Draft Lottery for non-playoff teams.

The NBA Draft Lottery

In 2017, the NBA Board of Governors approved changes to the draft lottery system, effective with the 2019 Draft. The new format ensures that the team with the worst record cannot pick lower than fifth overall, a change from the previous limit of fourth.

Now, the three teams with the worst records each have a 14% chance of winning the top pick, a shift from the previous 25%, 19.9%, and 15.6% odds for the worst, second-worst, and third-worst teams, respectively.

The top four picks are determined by lottery drawings. The remaining picks are assigned in reverse order of regular-season records.

NBA Draft Days

For the first time in league history, the 2024 NBA Draft will occur on two separate nights. Round 1 will be on Wednesday, June 26 and the second round will be on Thursday, June 27. 

NBA Draft Rounds

The opening round, which will take place on Wednesday, June 26, will be held at Barclay Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets. Following the first night of action, Round 2, goes down at ESPN's Seaport District Studios in New York.

NBA Draft Picks

NBA Draft picks refer to the players chosen by NBA teams during the annual NBA Draft. Each team is assigned a number of picks based on their position in the draft order. The draft order is primarily determined by the teams' performance in the previous NBA season, with the team with the worst record having the best odds among non-playoff teams to land the top pick.

NBA Mock Drafts

NBA Mock Drafts are speculative exercises where analysts, journalists, and fans try to predict the selections that NBA teams will make in the upcoming NBA Draft. These mock drafts simulate the draft process by projecting which players each team will choose in the twos rounds based on team needs, player evaluations, and perceived draft trends. Mock drafts can be created by individual analysts, media outlets, or websites specializing in NBA coverage. They often consider factors such as team needs, player talent, positional value, and rumors or reports from NBA insiders to make their predictions.

Can I bet on the NBA Draft?

Yes, you can bet on the NBA Draft through various sports betting platforms that offer draft-related betting markets. These markets typically include wagers on outcomes such as which player will be selected first overall, which player will be drafted by a specific team, over/under lines on the draft position of certain players, and more.

Does SportsGrid offer betting advice on the NBA Draft?

Yes, SportsGrid offers betting advice on the 2024 NBA Draft. SportsGrid covers a wide range of sports topics, including the NBA Draft. SportsGrid provides analysis and coverage of the NBA Draft, discussing draft prospects, team needs, strategies, and player draft position props.