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NBA Draft 2017: How it works

By Tyler Watts

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 NBA Draft takes place on June 22.  Today, we will examine how the draft works and when the Sacramento Kings select.

The NBA Draft is finally here.  After a ton of speculation and rumors, these prospects will find out their homes for next season.  We have a ton of prospect profiles up on the site, but we have not talked much about how the actual draft works.  Today, we will look at the ins and outs of the process and a few things to expect.  Without further ado, let us jump right into it.

How does the draft work?

One night affair

The NBA Draft is unique to any other major North American sport (NFL, MLB, NHL) in that the NBA does the draft in one evening.  The proceeding kickoff at 7 pm Eastern and will conclude around midnight Eastern.  The draft will be an action packed five hours so tune into ESPN and enjoy the show.

The draft consists of two rounds and 60 selections.  Each team originally receives two picks.  The first round features a lottery for all non-playoff teams.  Those 14 teams enter lottery night with a chance to move up into the top three, and the remaining 16 selections are giving in reserve record order.  The entire second round is entirely in reserve record order.  Trades have already jumbled the picks quite a bit, but more on that later.

For the current order of the 2017 NBA Draft can be found here.

First Round

The first round kicks off with the Philadelphia 76ers on the clock following a trade with the Boston Celtics.  Oddly enough, the top four picks are the same four teams in the exact order as last season.

Each team has five minutes to select in the first round, and most teams will take the full allotment working the phones for a trade.

Related Story: If De’Aaron Fox is gone, where should Sacramento look?

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers both have three selections in the first round tied for the most of any team.

Second Round

In the second round of the draft, teams have just two minutes to make their pick.  This round flies by and we see something unique to the NBA Draft happen, but more on that topic in just a moment.

The Philadelphia 76ers currently leads the field with four second round selections.  It is unlikely that they make four picks though so expect a trade on that front.

Trades

Speaking of trades, you will see a load of trades on draft night.  Last season, 11 deals went down on the day of the draft according to NBA.com.  Picks are not the only thing on the move either.  2016 saw Derrick Rose, Victor Oladipo, Serge Ibaka, Ersan Ilyasova, Robin Lopez, and other NBA veterans change teams.  The trading makes the NBA Draft unique and very intriguing.

Buying Second Round Picks

The trading of second round picks for cash is a phenomenon that no other major sport does.  It is an odd concept, but basically, teams give up the rights to a pick for some good old American dollars.  Last year, the Golden State Warriors bought a second round pick to select Pat McCaw.  McCaw ended up playing in 15 of the Warriors 17 playoff contests, so clearly, these players can have an impact.  Buying a second round pick usually happens multiple times every draft night so be on the lookout for it.

When the Sacramento Kings pick

The Sacramento Kings currently have three selections in the 2017 NBA Draft.  They choose at pick five, ten, and 34 overall.

The Kings have some clearly defined needs on their roster.  They have zero true point guards, so expect at least one point guard to join their team.  Sacramento is in desperate need of wing help specifically a defensive stopper.  They also need floor spacing and shooting.  I would love for them to add another stretch four/five.  The draft is their first step to filling these holes, so let us hope they make their three picks count.

Final Thoughts

The NBA Draft is always a night of hope and excitement.  Each team gets new players added to their roster.  We usually see a big trade or two to spice up the evening’s proceedings.  It also kicks off the new NBA season.  Every team record resets, and there is hope that this is the season we break through and make a deep playoff run.  For those reasons, I get excited about draft night.  Please tune in and root for the Sacramento Kings to nail the draft and walk away with pieces of their next playoff team.

Next: 6 players Sacramento should target in the draft

A Royal Pain has you covered with all the offseason content you desire about the Sacramento Kings.  We will be continuing our coverage of the draft plus free agency, and all the juicy rumors, so please check back with us often.  Thank you for reading.

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