The draft is the player selection system of the United States National Basketball Association (NBA).
What is the draft and how does it work?
It has been held once a year since 1947 to equalize the conditions of the league, so that the worst ranked teams in the regular championship have the option of taking over the best promises in basketball.
The 30 NBA franchises or teams choose the players of the future in two rounds. In each round there are 30 players and each team has two choices or “picks”, one for each round. A total of 60 players under the age of 23 opt, then, to enter the best league in the world.
The draw is held every year at the end of June in a ceremony in the purest Hollywood style in which not only the basketball promises are chosen, but transfers are negotiated within the same event.
How do the two rounds of the draft work?
As we have said, there are two rounds, but before them, the draft lottery takes place. The places from 1 to 14 are raffled among the teams that did not participate in the playoffs. Next, we explain how this draw for these first 14 places works.
14 balls are put into a bowl by the 14 teams that have not played in the playoffs, making a total of 1001 combinations. 4 of the 14 balls are drawn. After the top four draft picks have been chosen, the 5th through 14th picks follow the same ranking order as the rest of the draft.
Once the first 14 places have been assigned, the first round begins in which players are chosen from 30 to 15 in reverse order of league ranking. The order also depends on how the teams have finished in the playoffs.
In the second round, players are chosen from 60 to 31, also in reverse order to the classification in the regular championship.
Draft of 2023, the protagonists
The 2023 draft was held on June 23.
The French prodigy Victor Wembanyama, the most anticipated young man in the NBA since LeBron James landed in the league 20 years ago, reigned this Thursday in the draft with number one and, hand in hand with the San Antonio Spurs, now aspires to revolutionize the league from top to bottom.
“This is fulfilling something that I have dreamed of all my life,” said a Wembanyama dressed in a smart green suit and who could not help but cry after hearing his name as Spurs’ first choice.
It has been known for months that Wembanyama would be the number one in the draft since no team in its right mind would miss the fabulous opportunity to take a unique and generational talent for its exceptional qualities.
At 2.23 meters tall and at the age of 19, Wembanyama can score from three and from medium distance, he handles the ball with tremendous skill and speed for a player of his size, he moves with great agility and ease, he is very dangerous one-on-ones (not just in the post) and is also a major intimidation threat on defense.
“He’s like a player created in the NBA 2K video game,” Stephen Curry summed up in October before the irruption of this huge center with shooting guard skills.
Wembanyama will play under a legendary coach like Gregg Popovich in a Spurs that were the worst team in the West last season with a record of 22-60.
Spaniards chosen in the draft throughout history
Eighteen Spanish players have been selected in the NBA draft since 1985. Fernando Martín (New Jersey Nets) was the first that year and Santiago Aldama (Utah Jazz) the last in 2021. Pau Gasol was selected third by the Atlanta Hawks in 2001.
The list of Spanish players chosen in the draft is as follows: Fernando Martín, José Antonio Moreno, Roberto Dueñas, Pau Gasol, Raül López, Juan Carlos Navarro, Albert Miralles, Fran Vázquez, Sergio Rodríguez, Rudy Fernández, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka , Ricky Rubio, Víctor Claver, Sergio Llull, Nikola Mirotic, Alex Abrines, Willy Hernangómez, Daniel Díez, Juancho Hernangómez, Usman Garuba and Santiago Aldama.
Curiosities
Michel Jordan was chosen number three by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers missed the first two picks.
The legend Kobe Bryant was selected in the 13th position of the 1996 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, although he was transferred to the Los Angeles Lakers.
One of the best drafts that are remembered is that of 2003. Lebron James was chosen in the first position by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Chinese Yao Ming was chosen with the “pick” number 1 in 2002 by the Houston Rockets.
In 2022, the Los Angeles Lakers have starred in the anecdote of the draft. The sons of basketball legends Shaquille O’Neal and Scottie Pippen have been selected by this franchise.