When it comes to making selections in the NBA Draft, time is of the essence.
There’s a finite amount of it available for teams as they attempt to add another gem to their collections. Such a dilemma can lead to rushed results, although front offices ostensibly must have countless draft boards prepared in the case of every eventuality.
Time is a precious commodity, a non-renewable resource of the greatest importance to professional sides. Front offices can waiver on who they want to select with a given pick. But it can’t take too long — once the clock strikes midnight, they could see their opportunity to improve at a specific position vanish into thin air.
The Sporting News fills you in on understanding the rules and structures pertaining to making selections in the NBA Draft.
How long is each pick in the NBA Draft?
The amount of time teams have between picks varies depending on which round the selection is taking place.
| Round | Day | Time for each pick |
| Round 1 | Wednesday | 5 minutes |
| Round 2 | Thursday | 4 minutes |
Round 2’s selection time recently increased from two minutes (as was the case in previous seasons) to four. Second-round picks have become an increasingly valuable asset in recent years, with Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green, Jalen Brunson, and Khris Middleton proving there is plenty of talent to be found away from the spotlight.
How long does the first round of the NBA Draft take?
The first round of the NBA Draft is slated to start at 8 p.m. ET. With 30 teams having up to five minutes to make their picks, the first round could ostensibly take up to 150 minutes (two hours and 30 minutes). That’s not to mention additional time for commercial breaks and other odds and ends.
Don’t be surprised if the final selection is made around 11 p.m. ET-midnight.
How many rounds are in the NBA Draft?
There are two rounds in the NBA Draft in its present format. That hasn’t always been the case, with the league previously employing arrangements of up to 21 rounds during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
In 1989, the league’s player union had enough. They reached a deal with the NBA to shorten the NBA Draft to just two rounds in an attempt to give undrafted players an opportunity to try out for other teams, according to the NBA. With roster size limited — NBA teams can possess up to 15 players, far fewer than in the other three major North American sports — a more compact draft makes sense. It also makes the NBA one of the hardest leagues to earn a contract in.
How many picks are in the NBA Draft?
The number of picks in the NBA Draft typically sits at 60 in a given year. However, there will be just 58 picks this season, as the 76ers and Suns had their second-round selection docked after being found to have illegally tampered with free agents during the 2022 and 2023 offseasons, respectively.
What happens if teams run out of time at NBA Draft?
According to an old True Hoop column on ESPN.com, teams are subject to” substantial penalties from the League Office” if they are unable to make a selection before the clock expires, including “fines, loss of future draft choices, or the suspension of relevant personnel.”
Other NBA Draft rules to know
NBA Draft eligibility
For an American-born prospect to be deemed draft eligible, they have to be at least 19 during the calendar year of the draft. Additionally, at least one NBA season has to have passed since the player has graduated high school to be draft eligible.
The requirements for “international” players is slightly different, with the following three conditions having to be met to gain draft eligibility:
- Permanently reside outside the U.S. for at least three years before the draft while playing basketball outside the U.S.
- Have never enrolled in a U.S. college or university.
- Did not complete high school in the U.S.
Satisfying those three guidelines ensures an international prospect can be selected in the NBA Draft.