Due to a lack of live sports action, the NFL is drawing record ratings for its annual draft.
The NBA may have to follow the NFL’s lead and hold its draft remotely, though it’s very unlikely the draft will remain in June unless the season is already canceled by that point.
There are some obvious differences between the NBA and NFL drafts in any year, particularly the way business is conducted and needs are filled. NFL teams are filling out their rosters and addressing their remaining holes after free agency, while the NBA does it the opposite way. NBA teams go into the draft not knowing which players they might acquire or lose in free agency.
When trades are made during the NBA draft, they often cannot be made an official until the following month due to contractual and salary-cap issues. NFL teams don’t have to fuss with those technicalities. Commissioner Roger Goodell can announce those trades and call out the name of the team that has acquired the pick. As we’ve often seen, NBA prospects must don the cap of the team in that draft slot, even if it’s known through the grapevine they’ve been dealt to another organization.
An advantage of holding the NBA draft before free agency in a normal year is that teams can change their strategy in free agency after the draft unfolds. For example, if a lottery team gets a starter-quality point guard in the draft, it doesn’t have to spend its free agent dollars on that position. Holding the draft before free agency is also a boon to the summer leagues and allows teams more time to get their rookies prepared for their first season.
That brings us to our question of the day: Should the NBA holds its draft after free agency, as the NFL does? Or do you prefer to leave it the way it is?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
How about giving me my ticket money back. It’s a pandemic, friggin thieves
I think the NBA current draft placement works for the NBA, same as the NFL’s does for it. In the NFL, you need so many more players, and the later rounds give you a chance to make up somewhat for a FA miss. In basketball it’s somewhat easier to pivot strategies. I wouldn’t change it.
What the NBA needs is more Minor Leagues/more rounds/ NBATV also have a set their to show it live/either have it in same arena as NHL is so can GM’s on the floor to talk Trades. Also some Trades are official at Draft or before.
Know the only thing about NFL one is that not all underclassmen get a chance to declare for it and don’t see Teams making Trades of guys already Drafted right away after been picked like Love to another Team because another might have somebody Packers want.
The only problem with MLB/NHL ones is ESPN isn’t allowed to have a set their to cover rounds to and also If MLB one was in Offseason then would be Trades in it even without Draft Picks at moment.
Too many NBA teams are looking for their next savior in the draft among available teenagers. They don’t want to be burdened by their own needs as defined by what was not addressed in free agency.
Meanwhile NFL GMs would prefer clarity, starting their planning with vets.
Either way, teams don’t need to be given 15 minutes to make a pick. Make them come prepared; it’s the offseason. Nine minutes and hit the gong; the next team slotted moves up one.