The NBA Draft is one of the biggest events of the year for basketball fans around the world. Each year, teams select the latest talent to create the best teams possible.
This year, the NBA Draft will be held on July 29th, 2021 and it promises to be an exciting event. In this article, we’ll go over how to watch the NBA Draft 2021, who’s eligible to be drafted, and the expectations for the draft.
What Is the NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which teams from the National Basketball Association (NBA) select eligible players who can help their franchise make a successful run at the championship. Each team has one pick in each round of the draft, giving them a total of two minutes to make their selection. The rules for eligibility vary slightly between the draft’s two rounds, but participants must generally be full-time college basketball players or professional players who have been out of high school for at least three years.
Traditionally held in June each year, the NBA Draft is divided into two rounds with a total of 60 picks. Every season, teams dream of drafting a superstar who can take them to the next level and wide ranging speculation is made leading up to it. Last season, LaMelo Ball was chosen with the third overall pick by Charlotte Hornets and he will likely be followed by more exciting talent soon.
For those interested in being part of all the action during this year’s NBA Draft, there are several options available for fans to watch it live. Aside from tuning in on TV networks such as ESPN and ABC for its primary coverage on June 22nd 2021, viewers can also stream it live online through various streaming platforms including YouTube TV and fuboTV as well as through digital media outlets such as NBA League Pass or Twitch.
Who Is Eligible for the NBA Draft?
The 2021 NBA Draft is set to take place on July 29 this year, allowing for a full season of evaluation for teams and players.
In order to be eligible for the draft, any USA-born player must turn 19 years of age prior to the completion of that respective calendar year and one year removed from high school or international players who will reach age 19 prior to the completion of that respective calendar year.
Players over 22 years old and those who have not been out of high school at least one year are not eligible for the NBA Draft. All college basketball players become eligible after the start of their college Season, unless they choose to compete in a USA Basketball event, such as the FIBA World Cup or Olympics; any who choose these events become eligible after their final game unless they withdraw their name before June 15th.
2021 NBA Draft Schedule
The 2021 NBA Draft will take place on July 29, 2021 and is presented by State Farm. This is the 87th annual NBA Draft, which will take place virtually for the second consecutive year.
The NBA Draft is the league’s showcase event, where teams select the best college basketball players from around the world to join their team.
So how can you watch the 2021 NBA Draft? Let’s discuss the schedule and provide information about how to watch.
Date and Time
The 2021 NBA Draft will take place virtually on Thursday, July 29th. The event is set to start at 7:00 PM ET/ 4:00 PM PT.
In the United States, ESPN will broadcast the event live. Fans can stream the draft via the WatchESPN or ESPN+ app or website. International viewers outside of North America can watch the draft live through NBA League Pass.
On the night of the draft, fans can also keep up with real-time pick by pick analysis and news on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit NBA streams. Additionally, ESPN, NBA TV and other media outlets will break down each selection with interviews and analysis from their reporters and analysts live on-air throughout the day of the draft as well as post-draft reaction coverage on various digital platforms such as YouTube post game shows.
Location
The 2021 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2021, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This will be the first draft to be held outside of a neutral site since 2015. It will also be the fourth time in NBA history that the draft has been held at the Barclays Center.
The NBA Draft provides an opportunity for 37 of the best basketball players from around the world to join one of 30 teams in North America’s National Basketball Association (NBA). The two-round event typically takes place in June and offers an exciting mix of future stars and current veterans who are looking to make their mark on the next level of their basketball career.
Individuals hoping to attend this year’s draft in person should visit NBADraft.net or aquire tickets through Ticketmaster. Otherwise, the draft will be available online or on any major network television station throughout North America and broadcasted through social media channels such as YouTube and Twitch, providing fans around the globe with a front-row seat to witness history being made.
How to Watch the NBA Draft 2021
The 2021 NBA Draft is scheduled for July 29th, 2021 and basketball fans from around the world are looking forward to the event. As one of the most exciting spectacles in the basketball world, fans are eager to watch the Draft to see who their favorite team picks.
In this article, we will discuss how you can watch the NBA Draft this year.
Live TV Broadcast
For one night only, the NBA Draft will be broadcast on live television. The 2021 NBA Draft will be televised on ESPN and ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 29. Network coverage of the event can also be watched via the ESPN app or website, DirecTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV.
In addition to these options for watching the NBA Draft’s live television broadcast, fans should also keep an eye out for updates on social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook as well as official league websites. Events like this provide the perfect opportunity to gain exclusive insights into team drafts plans and decision-making process.
If you happen to miss out on any of the action in real-time don’t worry – highlights will be available throughout the night along with interviews with players who get drafted and expert analysis from both fans and commentators alike.
Online Streaming
The NBA draft is an annual event that is eagerly anticipated by basketball fans worldwide. With the ever-increasing popularity of online streaming services, watching the draft no longer requires a cable or satellite subscription. In 2021, the draft will be streamed live on ESPN, ABC, and TNT as well as through their respective streaming services such as WatchESPN and Watch TNT. Additionally, NBA’s exclusive streaming service League Pass will also feature coverage of both the first and second rounds of the event.
For those who want to supplement their broadcast coverage with other options, there are several alternatives available. The NBA TV app streams 24/7 coverage of all NBA games, news and interviews; fans can also purchase individual game passes for select games (even those during the playoffs) directly through the app. Furthermore, Yahoo! Sports provides Live Draft Grades with in-depth analysis from experts along with live updates on selections during the draft.
Those who choose to watch from a mobile device can download an official NBA app from Google Play or Apple Store for live streaming access to both Draft Rounds 1 and 2 through either ESPN or TNT app depending on their subscription service provider. For viewers in Canada and Australia, Kayo Sports will be broadcasting both rounds of the draft as well as daily analysis shows recapitulating events throughout both days of play. Finally, we strongly recommend downloading any necessary apps or extensions prior to following day so you’ll be prepared when it comes time to watch; this guarantee uninterrupted viewing pleasure during this exciting event!
Radio Broadcast
For those who can’t watch the 2021 NBA draft on television, or don’t have access to it, the radio broadcast is an excellent alternative. It’s a great way to get in on all the action no matter where you are.
The NBA will be providing two-hour coverage of each round with reporters giving up-to-the minute updates on every selection and breaking down each pick as it happens. Tune in to local sports radio stations in your area to keep track of all the picks and more throughout the night.
Fans can also stream the event through various streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Audience Network and Sirius XM Radio.
Player Profiles
The 2021 NBA Draft is just around the corner and there are some of the top players in the draft this year. Many of these players are expected to have an immediate impact on the team that drafting them.
Get to know some of the top prospects of the upcoming draft and learn about their skill sets and what teams are interested in them. This section will focus on player profiles for the 2021 NBA draft.
Top Rated Players
The 2021 NBA Draft is expected to feature several highly-touted prospects from across the globe. From NCAA standouts to international stars, these players are widely considered among the best of their class and are slated for success at the professional level. Below is a list of some of the top rated players in this year’s draft:
• Cade Cunningham (PG): A freshman phenom with length, size, and strength that make him a triple-threat on both ends of the court.
• Evan Mobley (C): The USC standout has been praised for his interior scoring touch, as well as his shot-blocking ability.
• Jalen Suggs (SG): A dynamic guard who is widely revered for his scoring prowess and supreme athleticism.
• Jalen Green (SG): Training with NBA mentors and teammates instead of attending college, Green has proven Himself worthy of first-round consideration by showing an all-around game that commands respect on both ends of the court.
• Jonathan Kuminga (SF): An athletic wing player who can light it up from three-point range or take it to the basket with ease. He’s been groomed as a leader on multiple youth teams and appears ready to compete at a high level in the professional ranks.
• Daishen Nix (G/F): An intriguing combination guard noted for his scope outside shooting touch, ballhandling agility and ambition on defense. Considered one of the best playmakers and passers amongst guards projections for this year’s draft class.
Player Information
When researching how to watch the NBA Draft 2021, familiarizing yourself with the players who will be drafted is essential. Browse potential NBA Draft picks for 2021 on this page to view detailed information on each player including height, weight, Wingspan, injury history, draft projections and more.
The three major components of analyzing a college basketball prospect’s NBA future are their physical tools (height, weight, wingspan), skillset and basketball IQ. As of April 2021 there are many college basketball prospects projected to be top picks this summer in the 2021 NBA Draft with names such as Jalen Suggs, Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley expected to headline the first round.
Take a look through all of the individual prospect pages by clicking on a player in the list below or use the search field above if you’re looking for more information about a specific player:
- Jalen Suggs
- Cade Cunningham
- Evan Mobley
- Daishen Nix
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert
- USC’s Isaiah Mobley
What Happens After the NBA Draft?
After the NBA draft each year, teams have a period of time to sign their drafted players and make other player moves. This is an important time for teams to evaluate their newly drafted players and determine how to best use their talents to improve the team. Additionally, teams can use the draft to provide a jumpstart for any planned trades and roster changes.
Let’s take a closer look at what happens after the NBA draft.
NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League is an annual offseason event sponsored by the National Basketball Association. While the primary focus of this event is to introduce newly drafted players to professional basketball, teams also often use the time to evaluate their returning players and prepare for the upcoming NBA season. The 2021 version of this tournament was held from July 22nd to August 8th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aside from enabling all 30 franchises to have a chance at developing young talent in a competitive environment, the Summer League also offers fans a glimpse of what it will be like when their favorite teams enter the regular season. The Summer League features an eight-game tournament format as well as additional showcase games for star players that may merit extra attention or dedication to skill development. It also serves as an opportunity for player agents and scouts to analyze potential draft picks from various college and international leagues before making any final decisions at the following year’s NBA Draft.
At the conclusion of each summer league tournament, one team is usually awarded a championship based on their wins and losses. Teams are measured during regular-season play, where then eight top teams compete in a single-elimination format for a chance at receiving an invite to compete in even more challenging tournaments that test their endurance through play against other international and domestic leagues including EuroLeague and NBL Australia.
Free Agency
After the NBA Draft is complete, the next step of the offseason is free agency. Free agency is a period where players can enter into negotiations with multiple teams to sign a new contract. Teams are allowed to exceed the salary cap to sign a player, and they can also offer more money or longer contracts to entice players to join their team. During this time, many teams focus on trying to land marquee players in order to improve their chances of success during the upcoming season. Signings typically commence around mid-July and end once teams feel they have filled all of their roster needs.
When considering free agents, teams use metrics such as Player Efficiency Rating (PER), VORP (Value Over Replacement Player) and Win Shares per 48 minutes make an educated decision when deciding if a player can help make an impact for their franchise or not. After free agency has concluded, rosters will be finalized for the upcoming season leading into training camp and pre-season games which occur late in September and early October respectively. The 2021 NBA Draft will officially kick off when training camp begins shortly after October 7th 2021.
