What is the NBA draft and how does it work?

The NBA draft is an annual event where teams select eligible basketball players to join the league. It serves as a way for teams to acquire new talent and improve their rosters. The draft order is determined through a lottery system for non-playoff teams, while playoff teams are ranked based on their regular-season records. The draft consists of two rounds, with each team having one pick per round, although trades often lead to draft picks changing hands. The order of selection allows the teams with the worst records to have a higher chance of landing top prospects. Players who are eligible for the draft include college basketball players, international players, and young athletes who have declared for early entry. Once selected, players join the team that chose them and sign contracts based on a predetermined rookie salary scale.