2024 NBA Draft Expands to Two-Day Spectacle: Second Round Set for Day After First Round

In a groundbreaking move, the NBA has announced that the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft will transition from a single-night event to a two-day extravaganza. The first round is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, followed by the second round on Thursday, June 27. Both rounds will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on their respective days.

With this expansion, the second round will not only have its dedicated night but will also relocate to ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York. Meanwhile, the first round will maintain its venue at the Barclays Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets in Brooklyn, New York. The draft will continue to be broadcasted by ESPN, with the first round airing on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN App, while the second round will be exclusively on ESPN and the ESPN App.

NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars explained that moving the second round to a separate night serves to provide teams with more time for selections and potential trades. The extended timeframe for the second round will see teams’ decision-making period increase from two minutes to four minutes.

Dumars emphasized, “Based on feedback about the NBA Draft format from basketball executives around the league and my own experience in draft rooms, we believe that teams will benefit from being able to regroup between rounds and having additional time to make decisions during the second round. Two nights of primetime coverage will also enhance the viewing experience for our fans and further showcase the draftees.”

This innovative approach aims to streamline the draft process, offering teams greater strategic flexibility and providing fans with an extended and immersive viewing experience. The decision to expand the draft comes after last year’s draft, which lasted nearly five hours and concluded around 12:45 a.m. ET, featuring notable moments such as Victor Wembanyama being selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs.

The post 2024 NBA Draft Expands to Two-Day Spectacle: Second Round Set for Day After First Round appeared first on The Real Preneur.