NBA Draft Schedule 2024: What, When, And Where

The NBA Draft is one of the most highly anticipated offseason events for both NBA teams and their fans. For decades, the draft has given struggling franchises hope by allowing them to add young, talented players to their roster. 

It has also allowed top amateur basketball stars from the college and international ranks to launch their professional careers in the world's premier basketball league. In 2024, the draft process will feature an expanded two-night format for the first time and several important dates for you and basketball fans everywhere to mark on your calendars. 

This article will detail each aspect of the NBA Draft Schedule 2024 to help you understand what to expect from this exciting draft season. 

1. What is the NBA Draft? 

Before diving into the NBA draft schedule 2024, it would be best to know what the NBA draft is.  

As an annual event, the NBA Draft is where the league's 30 teams take turns selecting amateur players eligible to be drafted from U.S. colleges and international leagues. The draft typically occurs in late June after the conclusion of the college basketball season. 

Teams draft players in reverse order of their win-loss record from the previous regular season, with the team owning the worst record receiving the number one overall pick. The first NBA Draft was held in 1947 and has been held every year since, growing into one of the most anticipated off-season events on the basketball calendar. 

2. When is the 2024 NBA Draft? 

Mark your calendars, basketball fans, because the 2024 NBA Draft presented by State Farm will take place on June 26-27, 2024, with an expanded two-night format for the first time. 

The Brooklyn Nets' home arena, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, will host the first round of play on Wednesday, June 26. Then, the second round will follow the next night, Thursday, June 27, at ESPN's Seaport District Studios in New York City. 

By spreading the draft out over two nights instead of one long night, you'll have more time to enjoy watching your favorite prospects' dreams come true on draft night without it feeling rushed. Be sure to clear your schedule for those two nights in late June! 

3. The 2024 Draft Order 

As a fan, one of the biggest questions on your mind this time of year is likely where your favorite team will pick in the upcoming draft. Unfortunately, the complete draft order for 2024 won't be officially determined until after the conclusion of the highly anticipated NBA Draft Lottery on May 12, 2024. 

The top four draft spots will be determined by drawing the names of the 14 teams that do not make it to the playoffs. The remainder of the non-playoff squads will draft in reverse order of their regular season win-loss records. 

You'll have to wait with bated breath until the end of the 2023-24 regular season to learn precisely where your squad will select promising young talent. 

4. The Draft Lottery 

As one of the most important dates on the draft calendar, you'll want to mark down Monday, May 12, 2024, for the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm. This high-stakes event will be held in Chicago and will play a major role in determining the final draft order by setting the top five picks. 

No team can fall lower than fifth in the lottery, leveling the odds at the top of the draft order. Be sure to tune in to the lottery broadcast to determine if your team's number gets called and moves up the board in pursuit of the next big star. 

5. The Key Draft Dates 

Here's a quick refresher of the other significant dates in the 2024 NBA Draft process that you'll want to note on your calendar: 

April 27: Early entry eligibility deadline  

May 13-19: NBA Combine in Chicago 

June 16: Early entry withdrawal deadline 

June 26: 2024 NBA Draft (Round 1), Barclays Center, Brooklyn 

June 27: 2024 NBA Draft (Round 2), ESPN Studios, New York City 

Marking these dates on your calendar now will help ensure you don't miss any essential pre-draft workouts, interviews, decisions, or the draft itself when it's time to start following your favorite team's plans. 

6. The Format for the 2024 Draft 

As mentioned, the 2024 NBA Draft will feature an expanded two-night format for the first time. As always, on June 26th, the first round will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Although this means more time between the choices of different teams, each round will be spaced out over several hours. 

Next, the second round will be held at ESPN’s studios in New York City on June 27. This structure of two nights will let you analyze player fits with teams and give you more time to digest picks as they happen on both nights of the draft. It is a new, thrilling format alteration that will make the draft night more memorable for fans like you. 

7. The Format for the 2024 Draft Lottery 

Under the current lottery system, implemented in 2017, the three teams with the lowest regular-season records will have a 14% chance of becoming the first overall choice. No team can fall lower than fifth in the lottery order. 

This levels the odds at the top of the lottery so that the squads with the poorest records can move up better than previous systems. On May 12, you and basketball fans worldwide will tune in to find out the lottery results and how the coveted top five draft positions will be determined. It's sure to be an exciting night full of possibilities for rebuilding franchises. 

Conclusion 

With an expanded two-night format spread over multiple locations and important pre-draft events like the NBA Combine and highly anticipated Draft Lottery, the 2024 NBA Draft process promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.  

Be sure to mark your calendars now for all the key dates as the draft season approaches this spring and summer. 

Following this comprehensive schedule closely will help you to fully understand what, when, and where all the on-court and front-office action is taking place.