NBA Wants to Expand 2024 Draft Into Two-Night Event, per Report

Fans are skeptical that a second night would be compelling.

The NBA is making plans to expand the league’s 2024 draft into a two-night event. However, the initiative still needs the approval of the National Basketball Players Association before becoming finalized, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. 

The draft would split its first and second rounds over two nights, scheduled for June 26–27. The event is expected to be held at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center, which has hosted the draft since 2012. 

Fans might wonder why a second round that draws little interest and features few draft prospects who will make an impact would be moved to a successive night. 

How much are they willing to pay me to watch day 2?

— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) January 11, 2024

Honestly a waste. Nobody really watches past the lottery and their favorite teams first pick. The second round is pretty much useless and putting it on separate days does nothing

— rodlo 🪬 (@roddystr) January 11, 2024

I like it. For someone who goes to the draft most every year, while its a lot of fun and great energy its a long day for both rounds.

This keeps it exciting and allows teams to better plan/trade etc…to seeing how day 1 goes.

I think it will be great.

— Dude (@DPGSpurs) January 11, 2024

Providing more television programming for ESPN, ABC and NBA TV is certainly a major reason for the change. 

However, the league is also hoping that moving the second round to the next day will provide teams with more time to work out more possible trades and refine what’s become a chaotic process of attempted deal-making with selecting players crammed into a few hours.