2026 NBA Draft: dates, format, and key aspects of the new talent selection process

LOS ANGELES, USA — The 2026 NBA Draft will be held on June 23 and 24 at the Barclays Center, solidifying the two-day format for the selection of new talent by the league’s 30 franchises.

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The first round will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd and will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN, while the second round, scheduled for the following day, will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN. The event will begin at 8:00 PM (local time). The draft is the main recruitment mechanism of the NBA, through which teams incorporate young prospects from American college basketball, international leagues, and other development programs. Its objective is to maintain competitive balance, giving priority in the selection order to the teams with the worst records in the previous season. The process begins with the so-called “draft lottery,” in which the 14 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs participate to define the first selections. From there, the rest of the turns are assigned in reverse order to the performance of each team.

Each franchise has a limited time to announce its choice when it is “on the clock”, and can also trade picks during the event. In total, 60 picks are made divided into two rounds: the first, with guaranteed contracts for the chosen players, and the second, with more flexible agreements.

Among the names that generate the most expectation for this edition is the Spaniard Aday Mara, who arrives after an outstanding performance in the NCAA university tournament, where he was recognized for his defensive impact and his collective performance. Throughout history, the draft has been key in building championship teams, allowing the arrival of figures who have transformed franchises, such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Michael Jordan. The publication of the event details marks the beginning of the countdown to one of the most important dates on the NBA calendar, which will define the future of multiple teams for the upcoming seasons.