The NBA draft is how teams choose new players, mostly from college and international leagues.
Two rounds
Each team normally gets one pick per round, though picks are often traded.
The lottery
Teams that missed the playoffs enter a lottery for the top picks. The worst records get the best odds, not a guarantee.
Why it's weighted
The system aims to help weaker teams improve without rewarding them for losing on purpose.
Trades on the night
Teams often swap picks during the draft itself, so the order can change quickly.
Filed underSports
Sources and corrections. This article draws on the sources listed here. Spotted a mistake? and we will correct it.
- 1 Sample source: background reference
- 2 Sample source: official or primary document
- 3 Sample source: explainer from another publisher (facts only)




