Facts about the 2026 NBA Draft ๐Ÿ€


The 2026 NBA draft was the 80th edition of the National Basketball Association’s annual draft. This was the first draft since 2021 with 60 picks, as no teams forfeited second-round draft picks for free agency violations.

๐Ÿ“… Draft Schedule

The first round of the draft was held on June 23, and the second round was held on June 24. The Washington Wizards selected small forward AJ Dybantsa out of BYU first overall.

๐Ÿ”„ Trades and Combine

Prior to the draft, trades were made and resulted in exchanges of draft picks between teams. The 12th G League Elite Camp took place on May 8โ€“10, from which certain participants were selected to join the main draft combine.

๐ŸŸ๏ธ Draft Combine and Lottery

The primary portion of the 2026 NBA draft combine was held from May 10โ€“17 in Chicago, Illinois. The NBA draft lottery was held on May 10, and it aired nationally on ESPN and ABC.

๐Ÿ“‹ Eligibility Rules

The draft is conducted under the eligibility rules established in the league’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement with its players’ union. Players who were not automatically eligible had to declare their eligibility by notifying the NBA offices in writing no later than at least 60 days before the event.

๐Ÿ“ Early Entry and Withdrawals

On April 27, 2026, the NBA announced 71 players who filed as early entry candidates. On May 29, 38 early entry candidates withdrew their eligibility, and on June 16, three more candidates withdrew.

๐ŸŸข Green Room Invitations

The NBA annually invites players to sit in the “green room” at the draft site. The first wave of invites was reported on June 9 with fourteen players, a second group on June 15, and a third and final group on June 17, bringing the total to 24 invites.

Event Date Location Details
G League Elite Camp May 8โ€“10 Not specified Selected participants joined main combine
Draft Combine May 10โ€“17 Chicago, Illinois Primary portion of combine
Draft Lottery May 10 Not specified Aired on ESPN and ABC
Draft June 23โ€“24 Not specified First round June 23, second round June 24
๐Ÿ€ The 2026 NBA draft was the 80th edition with 60 picks, and the Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa first overall. The draft lottery was the last to use the 1,001 possible lottery results. A total of 24 players received green room invitations across three waves.