nba Draft Rules

Structure:

• All 30 teams get assigned one draft pick for each of the two rounds

Order:

• First 3 picks are determined by weighted lottery drawing of the 14 non-playoff teams, with the teams with worse records receiving more number combinations (See #NBA Draft Lottery Odds below).
• After the first 3 picks, all teams are placed in reverse order of their regular season record.
• Second round order is determined by reverse order of regular season record including playoff teams.

Eligibility:

• Player must be 19 years old during draft calender year, and at least one season has passed since graduation of high school. If player did not graduate high school
• Player must declare his eligibility 60 days before draft
• Players are automatically eligible if United States player completes college eligibility or international player turns 22 by December 31.
• An American player who signs a contract and plays for an international team is automatically eligible by age of 19.
• No player is eligible for more than 2 drafts
• Player loses college eligibility if agent is hired, or declares for draft twice

NBA Draft Lottery Odds:

Up until the 2018 NBA Draft, the team with the worst record had the highest odds (25%) for the #1 pick. This model was changed for the 2019 NBA Draft in an effort to prevent tanking, whereupon the 3 worst teams would have the same odds and the odds for teams lower would be increased.

1st Seed= Team with Worst Record in NBA Regular Season
14th Seed= Team with Best Record of non-playoff teams