New York (AFP) – The 2024 NBA Draft will expand to a two-night format next June, providing greater exposure for newcomers entering the league, the NBA announced on Wednesday.
The first round of the NBA Draft will be staged on June 26 at the Barclays Center in New York, home arena of the Brooklyn Nets.
The second and final round will be conducted the following night at ESPN studios in New York.
The first round will continue to offer the league’s 30 teams five minutes between selections.
In the second round, the time between draft picks will be boosted from two minutes to four minutes.
“Based on feedback about the NBA Draft format from basketball executives around the league and my own experience in draft rooms, we believe teams will benefit from being able to regroup between rounds and having additional time to make decisions during the second round,” executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said.
“Two nights of primetime coverage will also enhance the viewing experience for our fans and further showcase the draftees.”
The annual allocation of playing rights for NBA newcomers had gone 10 rounds in the 1970s and was shortened to seven rounds in 1985 before shrinking to two rounds in 1989, allowing undrafted talent to try out for any club.
