When is the 2023 NBA Draft? And other key dates
The 2023 NBA Draft is only building hype as more and more teams see their seasons come to an end. Victor Wembanyama is the generational talent waiting for the lucky team to pick first, but even downstream there are a lot of intriguing prospects that teams and fans are beginning to get excited about.
Those fans don’t have to wait too long anymore, as the NBA Draft is approaching quickly. Unlike other leagues like the NFL, the NBA holds its draft before the beginning of free agency. Historically, with NBA Free Agency kicking off on July 1st, the NBA Draft has come on one of the last two Thursdays of June, nestled right between the end of the NBA Finals and the start of free agency.
This year is no different, as the NBA Draft will be held on June 22nd. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York — home of the Nets — will host the event.
What are other key draft dates?
The lead-up to the NBA Draft has a number of key events and dates that you might want to know as well. The most important such event is the NBA Draft Lottery, when a series of numbered ping pong balls will determine which NBA franchise gets the opportunity to draft French wunderkind Victor Wembanyama. The Lottery will be held on May 16th this year.
The Lottery is held during the NBA Draft Combine, which takes place from the 16th to the 18th of May, where most draft prospects will undergo athletic testing, interview with teams and play in scrimmages. The Combine will represent an opportunity for many players to evaluate their draft stock and see what they need to do to improve if they return to school.
Speaking of returning to school, a number of players initially declared for the NBA but retained their college eligibility. Those players have until June 12th to withdraw their names from the draft.
What draft picks do the Cleveland Cavaliers have?
The Cleveland Cavaliers do not go into the 2023 NBA Draft with a whole lot of firepower. Their first-round pick is in the hands of the Indiana Pacers after the Caris LeVert trade in 2022. They do benefit from the shaky season from the Golden State Warriors, swapping their own second for the Warriors’ slightly-higher pick.
Thus the Cavs will have just the 47th pick to make an addition, barring another trade or purchase of a pick. Hopefully, they find a contributor for down the line, but it’s unlikely they will get any present-day help from there.
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Regardless of the Cavs’ draft capital, the NBA Draft is one of the highlights of the entire year for the league and its fans. This year should be no different, and fans can take comfort in knowing it will occur right when it always does.