For basketball players looking to reach an elite status, there is no event more important than the NBA draft. It is actually a procession of events which include the NBA drafting lottery and NBA draft combine. During draft night various NBA teams will select their picks.
What is the Purpose of the NBA Draft?
The NBA draft is designed to select future professional basketball players. Choosing the right players is crucial, as it can alter the fate of the team. It isn’t enough to merely be skilled at playing basketball; one must meet the physical attributes and have a presence and personality which is marketable.
The draft was envisioned as a way of creating balance within the league. The National Basketball Association prefers every team to maintain a roster which is worth selling to fans. The draft allows small and large markets to share equalized odds when it comes to obtaining new talent.
Who is Eligible for the NBA Draft?
To qualify for the NBA draft, you must either be a former pro player from an international league or former collegiate player. Candidates must be a minimum of 19 years of age with a high school diploma. Those who are fortunate enough to be selected are classified as rookies and the draft will always be scheduled prior to the start of athlete free agency. This allows institutions to establish exclusive rights when it comes to signing a preferred player prior to the teams altering their rosters. However, there exist variables which may alter the draft order.
Why Does the NBA Use a Lottery?
The purpose of the NBA draft lottery is to decide the sequence for which the lottery teams can make their choices. Lottery teams will consist of picks between one and fourteen, and will be the groups that missed their in-season playoffs. Other than this, the process works like a standard lottery, where balls will be put inside a machine after which they will be randomly removed to decide which of the teams will receive the prized number 1 draft pick.
The process is done this way to ensure that every franchise will get an opportunity to receive a number 1 pick, because in past seasons teams might sometimes lose intentionally since they were certain to obtain the number 1 pick for having the league’s worst record. The basketball teams which have the poorest record will have their name inscribed on more balls, and will be drawn out one after one so that a selection order is established. Those who win the lottery will be able to make the very first selection during draft night.
How Does the Draft Combine Work?
The combine is held shortly before draft night. Its purpose is to obtain the physical measurements of prospects such as their height, weight, wingspan and percentage of body fat so that precise information can be provided to interested suitors. The second purpose behind the combine is to test candidates physically to determine how viable they are. These tests include things like vertical leaps, shuttle runs and bench presses.
