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NBA Draft 2018: How it works and what to expect

By Tyler Watts

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: Marvin Bagley III talks to the media at the Jr. NBA Clinic and NBA Cares event on June 20, 2018 at Basketball City in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: Marvin Bagley III talks to the media at the Jr. NBA Clinic and NBA Cares event on June 20, 2018 at Basketball City in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA draft is here and to help you enjoy the festivities here is how the draft is going to work tonight and some tidbits you need to know.

We have talked a ton about the 2018 NBA Draft and what the Sacramento Kings are going to do tonight, but we have not focused on what is actually going to happen.  Here are a few things to expect tonight and some ins and outs on how it will work.

How does the draft work?

One night affair

The NBA Draft has a unique distinction as the only major North American sport that does their draft in one evening.  The proceedings will begin at 7 p.m. ET and will wrap up around midnight.  The draft is five hours of excitement, so tune into ESPN and enjoy.

There are 60 selections and two rounds in the draft.  Each team starts off with two picks.  The first round features a lottery for non-playoff teams.  Three teams can move up to the top which the Kings did to secure pick two.  The remaining 16 squads are slotted in reserve order of their regular season record.  The second round order is entirely based on record finish.  Trades always mess the selections around quite a bit, so expect to see that a lot this evening.

First Round

The first round kicks off with the Phoenix Suns on the clock.   Sacramento picks second, so make sure you tune in at the beginning of the draft.

Must Read: Re-grading the last 5 Kings drafts

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

Second Round

In the second round of the draft, teams have just two minutes to make their selection.  This round goes fast, and we see something unique to the NBA Draft happens, but more on that in just a moment.

Trades

Speaking of trades, you often see a plethora of trades on draft night.  The Kings made a deal last season and what is unique is it is often not just picks changing hands.  Veteran players and sometimes big names move as well.

Buying Second Round Picks

The trading of second round picks for cash is something that only the NBA does.  It is an odd concept, but basically, teams give up the rights to a pick for some good old American dollars.  We saw it happen already as the Lakers bought the Sixers second-round selection more or less. Purchasing a second-round pick usually happens multiple times every draft night so keep an eye out for it tonight.

When the Sacramento Kings pick

The Sacramento Kings currently have two selections in the 2018 NBA Draft.  They choose at pick two and 37 overall as of this writing.

Sacramento is searching for their franchise player at two and a role player in the second round.

Final Thoughts

The NBA Draft is always a night full of hope and excitement.  Each team gets young talent players added to their roster.  We usually see a big trade or two to spice up the evening’s proceedings.  It also kicks off a new NBA season.  Every team record resets, and there is hope that this is the season they break through and make a playoff push.  Please tune in and root for the Sacramento Kings to dominate the draft and walk away with pieces to help them reach the playoffs.

Next: Final 2018 NBA mock draft 4.0

A Royal Pain will have all the offseason coverage of the Sacramento Kings you desire, so please check back with us frequently.  Thank you for reading.

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