NBA Expands 2024 Draft to Two Nights Split Between Barclays Center, ESPN’s Seaport District Studios

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announces that the NBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm will expand to a two-night format that features the first round on Wednesday, June 26 and the second round on Thursday, June 27.

The first round will be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., home of the Brooklyn Nets.  The second round will take place at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York.

ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App will each air the first round, and ESPN and the ESPN App will broadcast the second round.  Coverage on both nights will begin at 8 p.m. ET.  ESPN’s presentation of the second round will include a comprehensive review of the first round and in-depth storytelling about the draftees.  ESPN Radio will also provide national coverage of the NBA Draft.

The first round will continue to have five minutes between draft picks.  For the second round, the time between draft picks will increase to four minutes from two minutes.

“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,” says Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.  “Two nights of primetime coverage will also enhance the viewing experience for our fans and further showcase the draftees.”