The league is exploring the prospect of expanding its annual June draft from an all-in-one-night format to a 48-hour affair. The sooner the better as far as we're concerned ... but I want your take
I voted no, because I think we already have a 2 night format already with the lottery presentation to determine 1st round draft order. It's hard to get hyped for a prime-time draft event for just the second round when players selected there are unlikely to amount to long-term valuable players for the organization that is drafting them. We've seen how GMs trade 2nd round draft picks to other teams with reckless abandon, oftentimes throwing them into trades just to dump salary. How are fans supposed to hold 2nd round draft picks in high regard when most GMs don't treat them as valuable assets.
Having a two-day draft will prevent second round draftees (the likes of Jalen Brunson and Manu Ginobli for starters) from being relegated to 'so-what' status
True, but I’m old enough to remember when it went 7 rounds. I still have my old copies of Dick Vitale’s pro basketball and college preview magazines that talked about the draft in days before I had cable
I'm ok with it being 2 days...but at the same time....the draft being only 2 rounds really diminishes the intrigue for the 2nd day. The NBA and players association need to increase the number of rounds in the draft.
I mayyyy be interested if the lottery is drafted first night and then the rest of the first round and second round is the next night. But only if that first night is tight and not drawn out with resume building video packages galore. With all the video that exists already prior to draft night, those packages tend to rehash what we’ve already seen ad nauseam.
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This just creates more time for features on individual players to pull on your heartstrings. Interviews with family members, friends, etc. It’ll be nauseating.
Most viewers are only interested in who their team picks or is going to pick.
Also, after the draft, find a way to showcase players who aren't drafted but get contracts or multiple camp invites. Let them have their 5 minutes of fame too.
Put the lottery on day 1 and the rest of the first round and second round on day 2. It gives the middle of the first round, where there are inevitably some really good players, a pretty big spotlight. Plus the trade talks overnight if someone slipped would be incredibly entertaining.
I tend to agree that, while there's not necessarily a downside to moving the 2nd round to a 2nd day, it seems overkill for a draft that only consists of two rounds. I'm also not sure if this robs players that drop from the 1st to 2nd round of their 'prime time' moment, or create more opportunity to highlight them, by building in the ability to do more 'deep dive' pieces on every prospect selected.
I'd be curious to see if, with the G-League expansion that now leaves only Phoenix without a direct affiliate (and I assume that will be rectified soon), if they might amend rules to make having a 3rd round of the draft more feasible, with options to retain draft rights via G-League contracts being something they start to do -- sort of like how MLB has a '40' man roster that protects players in the minors from being poached by other teams.
This seems like an excuse to just have more ad time. When the NFL expanded their draft to three days, it became a chore to watch, and I’m worried that’s what will happen here.
I am on the minority on this one, draft and ASG are not my thing; I may give it some attention if there is a big hype about a potential superstar (Williamson and Wemby) but otherwise I check the results. Really care more about the lottery at times than draft itself.
As for ratings... if will do great for online and clicks, as guys will be at work all day following this thing online either streaming or looking for ESPN updates, but for TV probably won't do as well.
I voted no, because I think we already have a 2 night format already with the lottery presentation to determine 1st round draft order. It's hard to get hyped for a prime-time draft event for just the second round when players selected there are unlikely to amount to long-term valuable players for the organization that is drafting them. We've seen how GMs trade 2nd round draft picks to other teams with reckless abandon, oftentimes throwing them into trades just to dump salary. How are fans supposed to hold 2nd round draft picks in high regard when most GMs don't treat them as valuable assets.
Having a two-day draft will prevent second round draftees (the likes of Jalen Brunson and Manu Ginobli for starters) from being relegated to 'so-what' status
Expand the number of days and add two rounds more rounds. Have that replace the G league draft
Seems like you would need to update the CBA to allow for a third round to make it meaningful. Allow for more guaranteed money for 2nd/3rd round picks.
Think we have to see how a third round looks for the first time since the late 1980s before it goes out to four rounds again.
True, but I’m old enough to remember when it went 7 rounds. I still have my old copies of Dick Vitale’s pro basketball and college preview magazines that talked about the draft in days before I had cable
I'm ok with it being 2 days...but at the same time....the draft being only 2 rounds really diminishes the intrigue for the 2nd day. The NBA and players association need to increase the number of rounds in the draft.
I believe people would quickly fall in love with a Round 2 conducted unto itself.
I mayyyy be interested if the lottery is drafted first night and then the rest of the first round and second round is the next night. But only if that first night is tight and not drawn out with resume building video packages galore. With all the video that exists already prior to draft night, those packages tend to rehash what we’ve already seen ad nauseam.
You would stay up all night to watch the Hawks draft 57th on the second night. And you know it!
FYI.. I am a paid subscriber, yet this poll will not accept my response. It tells me the poll is only for paid subscribers. So i cannot participate. No big deal... just wanted you to know.
OK, I just tried to vote via the email column, rather than Substack Reader. I normally read all my substack subscriptions via Substack Reader... and that's where I cannot vote in this poll. but I just tried to vote via the email and it worked.
Thanks much for these notes. I will check this out because the poll is supposed to be open to everyone and I don't know it's not working.
This just creates more time for features on individual players to pull on your heartstrings. Interviews with family members, friends, etc. It’ll be nauseating.
Most viewers are only interested in who their team picks or is going to pick.
Who's to say Day 2 would be the same overdone TV production we see in Round 1?
I think that the performative history of ESPN productions will ultimately vindicate my prediction. We’ve all seen it many times.
The NBA draft is only 2 rounds. Why stretch it out to two days? It's not like the NFL where they have a marathon 7 rounds.
Stuffing both rounds into one night gets long and rushed. I totally get why teams want more time between rounds.
Also, after the draft, find a way to showcase players who aren't drafted but get contracts or multiple camp invites. Let them have their 5 minutes of fame too.
A second day could lead to more transaction business of all kinds.
Put the lottery on day 1 and the rest of the first round and second round on day 2. It gives the middle of the first round, where there are inevitably some really good players, a pretty big spotlight. Plus the trade talks overnight if someone slipped would be incredibly entertaining.
You are not along in making this suggestion ...
I tend to agree that, while there's not necessarily a downside to moving the 2nd round to a 2nd day, it seems overkill for a draft that only consists of two rounds. I'm also not sure if this robs players that drop from the 1st to 2nd round of their 'prime time' moment, or create more opportunity to highlight them, by building in the ability to do more 'deep dive' pieces on every prospect selected.
I'd be curious to see if, with the G-League expansion that now leaves only Phoenix without a direct affiliate (and I assume that will be rectified soon), if they might amend rules to make having a 3rd round of the draft more feasible, with options to retain draft rights via G-League contracts being something they start to do -- sort of like how MLB has a '40' man roster that protects players in the minors from being poached by other teams.
I think most people end up watching rd 2 because it's all connected. I'm not sure folks would tune into 2nd round if it's on day 2 of the draft.
I find the drawn-out one night extravaganza almost unwatchable (watch it some years, skip it others). There's no way I'd watch a two-night commercial.
I suspect that a Round 2 broadcast would be less showy and more substance for dieheards. Just a hunch ...
This seems like an excuse to just have more ad time. When the NFL expanded their draft to three days, it became a chore to watch, and I’m worried that’s what will happen here.
I don't follow the NFL Draft at all. People really see it as a chore?
Two days for two rounds? Draft night is already too long (and boring) do we really need to add another one? Maybe OKC fans will be happy...
I think the fact that we know it's one long night before it even starts is part of the problem.
I am on the minority on this one, draft and ASG are not my thing; I may give it some attention if there is a big hype about a potential superstar (Williamson and Wemby) but otherwise I check the results. Really care more about the lottery at times than draft itself.
As for ratings... if will do great for online and clicks, as guys will be at work all day following this thing online either streaming or looking for ESPN updates, but for TV probably won't do as well.
Good chance if they do this both rounds will be on at prime time or close to it