NBA:Draft: Difference between revisions
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== When == | == When == | ||
The draft runs in the off-season, '''after | The draft runs in the [[NBA:Off-Season|off-season]], '''after re-signing and before free agency'''. For 2026 it was August 9. | ||
'''A draft is named for the year it is held and feeds the following season.''' The 2026 draft produces players for the 2027 season | '''A draft is named for the year it is held and feeds the following season.''' The 2026 draft produces players for the 2027 season. | ||
== Draft order == | == Draft order == | ||
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== Rookie contracts == | == Rookie contracts == | ||
'''A drafted player is signed the moment he is selected.''' His salary counts against your [[NBA:Salary Cap|cap]] as soon as the pick is posted — there is no separate signing step, so enter the draft already holding room for every pick you intend to make. | '''A drafted player is signed the moment he is selected.''' His salary counts against your [[NBA:Salary Cap#Timing|cap]] as soon as the pick is posted — there is no separate signing step, so enter the draft already holding room for every pick you intend to make. | ||
=== 1st-round contracts === | === 1st-round contracts === | ||
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Coming over means joining an NBA '''or''' G League roster. Verify arrival dates against [https://www.basketball-reference.com/ basketball-reference.com]. | Coming over means joining an NBA '''or''' G League roster. Verify arrival dates against [https://www.basketball-reference.com/ basketball-reference.com]. | ||
Waiving a stashed player before he comes over carries a '''one-year''' cap hit | [[NBA:Waivers#Exceptions|Waiving]] a stashed player before he comes over carries a '''one-year''' cap hit. | ||
== Trading picks == | == Trading picks == | ||
Picks may be traded up to '''two years out''', once the window opens at | Picks may be [[NBA:Trades#Trading picks|traded]] up to '''two years out''', once the window opens at [[NBA:GM Responsibilities#Check-in|check-in]]. | ||
== How to post == | == How to post == | ||
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Name | Position | School (NBA team). | Name | Position | School (NBA team). | ||
Then add him to your [[NBA:Rosters|roster post]] with his contract: | Then add him to your [[NBA:Rosters#How to post|roster post]] with his contract: | ||
<pre style="white-space:pre; overflow-x:auto"> | <pre style="white-space:pre; overflow-x:auto"> | ||
Revision as of 04:12, 8 October 2026
| Reference | Contracts · Rosters · Salary Cap · League Spreadsheet |
| Transactions | Waivers · Trades · Options · Re-Signing · Draft · Free Agency · G League · Injured Reserve |
| Timeline | Off-Season · In-Season |
| Governance | League Structure · GM Responsibilities · Rule Changes |
| Tools | Re-Sign Calculator · Free Agency Bid Calculator |
Two rounds, 30 picks each. Every undrafted player enters free agency.
When
The draft runs in the off-season, after re-signing and before free agency. For 2026 it was August 9.
A draft is named for the year it is held and feeds the following season. The 2026 draft produces players for the 2027 season.
Draft order
The lottery
14 non-playoff teams enter the lottery, and the top 4 picks are drawn. The rest fall into place by record, as in the real NBA.
| Seed | Chance at #1 |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14.0% |
| 2 | 14.0% |
| 3 | 14.0% |
| 4 | 12.5% |
| 5 | 10.5% |
| 6 | 9.0% |
| 7 | 7.5% |
| 8 | 6.0% |
| 9 | 4.5% |
| 10 | 3.0% |
| 11 | 2.0% |
| 12 | 1.5% |
| 13 | 1.0% |
| 14 | 0.5% |
Drawn using the ZenGM universal draft lottery simulator.
1st-round order
Lottery teams take the order the draw gives them. Everyone else is ordered by record, worst first.
Ties are broken in this order:
| Two teams tied | Three or more tied | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Head-to-head matchup | Division record |
| 2 | Division record | Total categories |
| 3 | Total categories | Points scored |
| 4 | Points scored | — |
2nd-round order
Reverse order of the standings, ignoring the lottery result.
Rookie contracts
A drafted player is signed the moment he is selected. His salary counts against your cap as soon as the pick is posted — there is no separate signing step, so enter the draft already holding room for every pick you intend to make.
1st-round contracts
4 guaranteed years plus a 5th-year team option, at the salary for that slot:
| Pick | Salary | Pick | Salary | Pick | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,617,100 | 11 | $1,495,200 | 21 | $918,900 |
| 2 | $3,236,600 | 12 | $1,420,400 | 22 | $882,200 |
| 3 | $2,906,200 | 13 | $1,349,400 | 23 | $847,000 |
| 4 | $2,606,200 | 14 | $1,282,000 | 24 | $813,000 |
| 5 | $2,372,800 | 15 | $1,217,800 | 25 | $780,500 |
| 6 | $2,155,100 | 16 | $1,157,000 | 26 | $754,700 |
| 7 | $1,967,400 | 17 | $1,099,100 | 27 | $732,400 |
| 8 | $1,802,400 | 18 | $1,044,200 | 28 | $728,400 |
| 9 | $1,656,800 | 19 | $997,100 | 29 | $723,100 |
| 10 | $1,573,900 | 20 | $957,300 | 30 | $717,800 |
A 2026 1st-rounder is written (2030, 2031x) — guaranteed through the four seasons 2027–2030, with 2031 as the option.
2nd-round contracts
$495,000. One guaranteed year plus four team options — five seasons in total.
A 2026 2nd-rounder is written (2027, ~2031x).
Draft-and-stash
A drafted player who does not come to the NBA immediately is paid his slot salary straight away, and his contract is written with no end date until he arrives.
When the contract starts
| He arrives | Contract |
|---|---|
| On or before the end of week 9 — the off-season included | Starts immediately |
| After the end of week 9 | Your choice: start it immediately, counting the rest of this season as year 1 regardless of games played — or defer to next season, making him ineligible for the remainder of this one including the playoffs |
Coming over means joining an NBA or G League roster. Verify arrival dates against basketball-reference.com.
Waiving a stashed player before he comes over carries a one-year cap hit.
Trading picks
Picks may be traded up to two years out, once the window opens at check-in.
How to post
Selections are made in the draft thread in the NBA: Draft Room forum, in this format:
Patrick Ewing | C | Georgetown (NYK)
Name | Position | School (NBA team).
Then add him to your roster post with his contract:
Patrick Ewing (NYK - C) $3,617,100 (2030, 2031x)
See also
- Contracts — reading option years and the
(----)stash notation - Salary Cap — pick salaries count from selection
- Options — exercising a rookie's option
- Free Agency — where undrafted players go
- Trades — trading picks