The NBA draft is an opportunity for teams to select their next franchise superstar or grab that hidden gem with one of the event’s final selections.
Or completely tank the entire process and take the next Nikola Tskitishvili, Jan Vesely, or Fran Vazquez.
The 2023 NBA Draft will take place on June 22 at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. After the draft lottery is officially set on May 16, fans can sit back, relax, and watch their team take Victor Wembanyama or potentially be a part of the next Shabazz-Muhammad-over-Giannis-Antetokounmpo situation.
If all else fails, though, there have been plenty of post-first-round picks throughout league history that have had hall-of-fame-worthy careers, including two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Manu Ginobili, Draymond Green, and Khris Middleton.
How many bites at the apple, so to speak, will teams get on June 22?
How many rounds are in the NBA draft?
Currently, the draft is made up of two rounds. It’s been that way since 1989.
In the NBA days of old, though, there were plenty more opportunities for franchises to add rookies to their rosters. An unlimited amount of opportunities, in fact, during one era.
Prior to 1974, teams selected players until they just decided to stop. In ’74, the draft was capped at 10 rounds. The 1988 draft went three rounds, and since ’89, it’s been the current version of two.
The Trail Blazers will likely try and trade their lottery pick unless it lands at No. 1. They also have the 23rd overall pick, but there’s a chance all they have left by the time draft night rolls around is the 43rd overall pick in the second round.
Here’s to stumbling into the next Jokic or Ginobili with that selection.