2024 NBA Draft: League Finalizes Plan for Two-Day Format
It was talked about on Jan. 11 that the NBA Draft could potentially be changing. A few weeks ago, the NBA was still working on the final sign-off from the Players Association as they are preparing to have the NBA Draft two days long moving forward.
Today it has been finalized: the first round picks will be made on a Wednesday and the second round picks will be made on a Thursday.
What are the benefits and negatives of having a two day draft?
The biggest positive for the NBA Draft being two days long is that it gives NBA decision-makers more time to think about who they want to target on day two. In previous years it had felt the second round was rushed and, at times, there just wasn’t enough consideration put into each pick.
Now, with more time added in the second and a whole new day of draft, it will take a lot of pressure off of NBA decision-makers.
There have been times in previous draft years where we've seen super talented prospects that were projected to be locks get drafted at the back end of the second round, or even slip out entirely. Overall, the biggest takeaway and reasoning behind the NBA doing this is so that it brings more of a spotlight to the second round.
The biggest negatives will be the viewership, second day attendance and the green room situation. It’s clear that the more casual draft fans only tune in for the lottery picks, but will often stick around to watch the entire first round.
There will be lots of extra details that will need to be buttoned up to make a two day event work.
The green room situation will another key point. We've seen before a prospect like Bol Bol slip to the second round. If a prospect in the green room drops, would he re-attend the green room on day two? A lot of questions go into this change, but sometimes change is for the better.
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