:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60133277/542663860.jpg.0.jpg)
One of the most exciting days in the basketball world is upon us. It’s time for the 2018 NBA Draft. The draft is when bad teams get to roll the dice with potential superstars, good teams get to shore up their depth with key role players, and 60 young men get to have their dreams come true.
It’s a pretty special day, and we’ll have coverage of it all day long.
What: 2018 NBA Draft
When: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 4:00 p.m. PT
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
TV: ESPN
Options for cable cutters: Sling TV, Hulu TV, and YouTube TV (free trials available for all)
Let’s look at a few of the storylines...
The Warriors pick(s)
The Golden State Warriors enter the day with one draft selection, the 28th overall pick. However, there’s a lot of talk that the team may spend some money to purchase a second round pick, as they did the past two years. Given that those two second-round purchases netted them Patrick McCaw and Jordan Bell, the strategy has clearly worked.
Golden State has a few roster spots to fill, and even though it costs money to purchase a pick, having young, cost-controlled players on rookie contracts could save the team a lot of money long term.
How will the top picks shake out?
Nearly everyone seems to agree that the Phoenix Suns will take DeAndre Ayton with the first pick in the draft. But nearly everyone also seems to agree that Slovenian Luka Doncic is the best player available.
While analysts and writers are completely enamored with the 6’8” playmaking guard’s skills, teams seem a little more hesitant. Despite being held in high regard, there’s some talk that Doncic could slip as far as to the fourth spot.
How the top picks end up will be fascinating. After Ayton, it’s a wide open board: The Sacramento Kings pick second, and no one would be surprised if they took Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III, or Mo Bamba. If you like uncertainty, this is the draft for you.
A change for the viewer
This year, the NBA is switching things up while broadcasting the draft. Unlike in years past, reporters are not allowed to reveal who a team will select until commissioner Adam Silver announces the pick.
Reporters can still report on trades, but there won’t be any Woj bombs revealing who the Warriors will draft when there are still three minutes on the clock.