How can Woj and Shams know the NBA draft picks before they are official?

Adrian Wojnarowski, often referred to as “Woj”, and Shams Charania commonly known as “Shams”, are two of the most well-known and respected NBA insiders. They frequently break news about NBA draft picks and trades before these moves are officially announced. Their ability to do this is rooted in several key factors:

But how can Woj and Shams know the trades before they happen?

Both journalists have strong relationships with key figures in the sports industry, including high-profile agents who represent multiple top players and have vested interests in controlling the narrative around their clients. These agents often leak information about draft picks and trades to maintain a favorable media presence.

These sources provide real-time information on draft decisions. Instead of outright revealing picks, they engage in linguistic gymnastics. Woj might say a team is “laser-focused” on a specific player, leaving fans to connect the dots. It’s a delicate dance of hinting without breaking any rules.

Teams often make decisions about draft picks well in advance of the official announcements. Woj and Shams can receive this information through their sources as teams finalize their decisions. Teams may also leak information to gauge public reaction or as part of strategic negotiations.

Sometimes, information is leaked intentionally by team personnel as part of a strategy to create smokescreens, apply pressure in negotiations, or manage expectations. These intentional leaks can be aimed at influencing other teams’ decisions or the public narrative.

By combining these factors, Woj and Shams can often report NBA draft picks and other major news ahead of official announcements, maintaining their status as the go-to sources for breaking NBA news.