The NBA Draft is an annual event, which selects college prospects for the upcoming season. Usually, the best players are selected from American colleges, but international professionals can also compete in the draft.
The draft also provides opportunities for smaller franchises to enter the league. There are thirty teams in the NBA. Every year, 16 teams qualify for the playoffs. As such, the draft serves as a way for these teams to find their future stars.
The draft has undergone numerous changes over the years. For instance, a lottery system was introduced in 1985. In addition, teams can now trade their first round picks, allowing them to obtain better players. This is a win-win for both the team that makes the trade and the player they acquire.
Using the NBA’s new weighted draft lottery system, odds of winning the top overall pick are now determined by a combination of the team’s regular season record, the results of the drawing, and random selection.
Although the drafting process has undergone numerous changes, the first round is still the most significant. Each team is awarded one pick for the first and second round. However, the first pick may be traded for additional draft picks, or money. If the team is eliminated from the playoffs, the team must wait until the end of the regular season before making any further deals.
In the end, the best teams are rarely rewarded with the top overall pick. Instead, the first round consists of several teams with similar records.
