The NBA will host its annual player draft in Brooklyn on Thursday and Friday (AEST), where Duke University forward Cooper Flagg is tipped to head to the Dallas Mavericks with the first pick.
Australia also has several top prospects in the draft, including Rocco Zikarsky and Alex Toohey, although they all may have to wait until the second round on Friday to find out their future.
Australians in contention for this year’s NBA draft. From left to right: Lachlan Olbrich, Tyrese Proctor, Rocco Zikarsky and Alex Toohey.Credit: Aresna Villanueva
How many picks are there and how can I watch?
The NBA draft used to be a one-night affair with both the first and second rounds, 30 picks each, completed, but it’s now spread over into two nights – round one on Thursday and the second round on Friday.
ESPN will show both rounds live in Australia and New Zealand. That now includes Disney+ subscribers who had ESPN added to their packages earlier this year.
Australian centre Rocco Zikarsky answers questions from reporters during the NBA draft combine in May.Credit: Getty Images
There is a major difference between the rounds – every first-round pick receives a guaranteed NBA contract for two-years plus team options for the third and fourth years.
Each first-round pick will be announced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, while the second round, which is a quicker affair, is usually hosted by a deputy commissioner.
This year’s second round will finish at pick 59 as the New York Knicks forfeited their second-round pick due to beginning free agent talks before the free agency period in 2022.
How much will they earn?
The first pick is expected to earn about $US13.8 million (about $21.3 million) next season and $US14.5 million in season 2026-27. Subsequent picks will earn slightly less on a sliding scale down to pick 30 on $US2.7 million next season.
Second-round picks get no such guarantees, but they present great value as clubs can choose to sign players to guaranteed, non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts. They can also “stash” players (ie: tell them to play overseas until they are needed).
Australian guard Johnny Furphy is a good example. Last year he missed out on the first round before the Indiana Pacers drafted him at pick 35 and then offered him a five-year deal, guaranteed for three seasons at a little under $US2 million per season. He’s just played in the NBA finals.
If a player is drafted, that team “owns” his NBA rights, and he can only join whichever team has those rights, though they can be on-traded to other teams.
Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy during game five of the NBA finals.Credit: Getty Images
Any Aussies in the running?
There are no guarantees we will see an Australian follow in the recent footsteps of Josh Giddey or Dyson Daniels and be selected in the first round, but there are a stack of Aussies considered strong chances to be second-round picks.
Brisbane Bullets centre Zikarsky, Sydney Kings forward Toohey, Duke University guard Tyrese Proctor and Illawarra Hawks centre Lachlan Olbrich were all listed in ESPN’s top 100 players for the draft.
At 220 centimetres (7′3) without shoes (7′4 with shoes), Zikarsky is the tallest player in the draft and has attracted strong interest as teams look to players who can, potentially, defend San Antonio superstar Victor Wembanyama who stands 222cm but has a 240cm (8′0) wingspan.
Sydney Kings player Alex Toohey.Credit: Louise Kennerley
Tasmanian sharpshooter Reyne Smith, who finished his US college career with the Louisville Cardinals this past season, is also eligible, although he could potentially miss out on being picked in the draft and head to Europe.
Undrafted players could still make their way to the NBA if a team invites them to Summer League or training camp. Going undrafted means any team can sign a player. Matthew Dellavedova is one such Aussie who made Cleveland’s roster after not being selected.
Many outlets create mock drafts to try and predict where players will end up. To give you an idea how things could end up for the four Aussies, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie had Proctor going to Brooklyn at pick 36, Toohey going to San Antonio at pick 38, Zikarsky going to Toronto at pick 39 and Olbrich to Utah at pick 53 in his mock draft on June 12.
Any NBL Next Stars in the mix?
The NBL also has Next Stars forward Izan Almansa in the draft while South East Melbourne Phoenix forward Malique Lewis withdrew from this year’s draft and will return to the Australian league for next season in hope of boosting his position for 2026.
Duke guard Tyrese Proctor.Credit: Getty Images
Almansa, a Spanish international who played with Perth this past season is seen as being on the border between the first and second round. Toohey and Zikarsky are also NBL Next Stars.
Why should we care about the Pelicans?
The New Orleans Pelicans have picks seven and 23 in the first round and most Australians wouldn’t pay attention unless they take a local player, but the Pelicans have a connection to Melbourne this year as they prepare to play two pre-season games at Rod Laver Arena, first against Melbourne United on October 3, then two days later against South East Melbourne.
Zion Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans are bound for Melbourne.Credit: AP
That will likely mean the players taken will make their first NBA appearances in those games.
Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears shapes as a possible pick at seven for the Pelicans, although they could package both picks and try to trade up for a higher selection.
Will there be trades?
Oh, yes. The trades have already started, with Indiana and New Orleans swapping a 2026 first-round pick, which goes to the Pacers, for the rights to Australian guard Mojave King and pick 23 in the draft.
Current players can also be traded on the night, as can this year’s draft picks, future picks and players who were drafted earlier in the night. Silver will announce trades as they become official; some aren’t made official by the NBA until after the draft but are reported during the night by broadcasters or journalists.
Orlando Magic’s Anfernee Hardaway drives at New Jersey Nets’ centre Shawn Bradley in 1996. Credit: AP
Superstars Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee) have been mentioned as potentially being traded this off-season, though it looks less likely they will move right now. But nothing is certain when it comes to draft-night trades.
There have been some big draft-night trades over the years, including Orlando and Golden State swapping Chris Webber and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway during the 1993 draft.
What has fashion got to do with the draft?
Quite a bit, actually. Players who attend the first round generally wear suits, sometimes custom-made ones, to mark the occasion and decorate their first walk onto the NBA stage.
Dyson Daniels is congratulated by NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected at pick eight in the 2022 NBA draft.Credit: Getty Images
The league also makes special NBA draft hats each year, which players receive after being selected. Those hats can be changed over or swapped if a trade is made.
Some suits become famous or infamous, depending on their reception – LeBron James wore an all-white suit when he was drafted in 2002, while Samaki Walker’s white hat and jacket in 1996, Drew Gooden’s long jacket in 2003 and Jalen Rose’s red pinstripes in 1995 still ring out.
Roy Ward’s mock draft: The top five picks
No.1 – Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
No.2 – Kon Knueppel (San Antonio Spurs)
No.3 – Dylan Harper (Philadelphia 76ers)
No.4 – Khaman Maluach (Charlotte Hornets)
No.5 – Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz)
ESPN will show the NBA draft first round on Thursday at 10am (AEST). The second round is Friday at 10am.
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