NBA draft 2020: what is the format and where is the ceremony this season?
After being delayed by 5 months due to the covid-19 pandemic the 2020 NBA draft will finally take place Wednesday 18 November at 8 p.m. ET. viewable on ESPN
The coronavirus has put a lot of things on hold in 2020 and the end of the 2019-2020 season wrapped up just over a month ago. Now the NBA teams will at last make their choices to add to their rosters and then pivot on 20 November to free agency before taking to the court for the 2020-2021 season starting 22 December.
This year’s NBA draft will be hosted virtually for the first time from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut. The picks will join the broadcast virtually as Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announce the selections from ESPN’s headquarters.
When and where to watch the 2020 NBA draft
The show will at last go on as the 2020 NBA draft will tip off on 18 November at 8 p.m. ET. You can watch via one of the following:
- TV channels: ESPN will broadcast the event live.
- Live stream: ESPN Player app
Note: To watch ESPN Player a subscription service on TV you will require Apple TV (TvOS) or ChromeCast.
The event will be conducted virtually with Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announcing the first and second round picks from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut, similar to how the NFL draft was done this year.
Who the picks are for the 2020 NBA draft
The 2020 NBA draft doesn’t have a standout star like Jo Morant or Zion Williamson, one of the favorites is LaMelo Ball but it is unclear if he will be the No. 1 pick as the first two picks go to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State where he might not be what they need for the 2020-2021 season.
Although this year’s draft is viewed as not having much high-end talent with free agency just around the corner there could be a lot of movement as front offices prepare. There are ten players who are pop up on all 12 of the mock surveys the NBA follows. These include LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, Deni Avdija, Onyeka Okongwu, Obi Toppin, Isaac Okoro, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Vassell and Killian Hayes.
To check out all 60 NBA draft 2020 prospects on Sporting News big board.
2020 NBA draft order
First round
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Charlotte Hornets
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Detroit Pistons
8. New York Knicks
9. Washington Wizards
10. Phoenix Suns
11. San Antonio Spurs
12. Sacramento Kings
13. New Orleans Pelicans
14. Boston Celtics (via Grizzlies)
15. Orlando Magic
16. Portland Trail Blazers
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Nets)
18. Dallas Mavericks
19. Brooklyn Nets
20. Miami Heat
21. Philadelphia 76ers (via Thunder)
22. Denver Nuggets (via Rockets)
23. Utah Jazz
24. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pacers)
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Nuggets)
26. Boston Celtics
27. New York Knicks
28. Los Angeles Lakers
29. Toronto Raptors
30. Boston Celtics (via Bucks)
31. Dallas Mavericks (via Warriors)
32. Charlotte Hornets (via Cavaliers)
33. Minnesota Timberwolves
34. Philadelphia 76ers (via Hawks)
35. Sacramento Kings (via Pistons)
36. Philadelphia 76ers (via Knicks)
37. Washington Wizards (via Bulls)
38. New York Knicks (via Hornets)
39. New Orleans Pelicans (via Wizards)
40. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns)
41. San Antonio Spurs
42. New Orleans Pelicans
43. Sacramento Kings
44. Chicago Bulls (via Grizzlies)
45. Orlando Magic
46. Portland Trail Blazers
47. Boston Celtics (via Nets)
48. Golden State Warriors (via Mavericks)
49. Philadelphia 76ers
50. Atlanta Hawks (via Heat)
51. Golden State Warriors (via Jazz)
52. Sacramento Kings (via Rockets)
53. Oklahoma City Thunder
54. Indiana Pacers
55. Brooklyn Nets (via Nuggets)
56. Charlotte Hornets (via Celtics)
57. LA Clippers
58. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)
59. Toronto Raptors
60. New Orleans Pelicans (via Bucks)