NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Cooper Flagg (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Some of the NBA’s future stars will know their fate on Tuesday as the 2026 NBA Draft begins live from the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets.
The Washington Wizards, who reportedly intend to sign guard Trae Young to a four-year deal worth around $212 million, have the No. 1 overall selection as they look to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2021. The Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Clippers round out the top five overall picks.
When Does The NBA Draft Start?
The two-day NBA Draft, which starts tonight and continues Wednesday evening, starts at 8 p.m. ET both days exclusively across ESPN platforms. Tuesday’s first-round coverage is on ABC and ESPN, while tomorrow’s broadcast of the second round is solely on ESPN.
Broadcasters, TV Personalities For The 2026 NBA Draft
Malika Andrews will host ESPN’s coverage on Tuesday alongside analysts Tim Legler, Andraya Carter, Bobby Marks, and Jay Bilas, who said this year’s draft is the most star-studded since 2003 when the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony were all selected in the top five picks. Lisa Salters will also serve as a reporter.
ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, who reported overnight a blockbuster trade between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyler Herro, and Draft analyst Fran Fraschilla will also provide news updates, analysis, and commentary.
Meanwhile, Kevin Negandhi will host NBA Draft coverage on ABC tonight alongside analysts Kenny Smith, Jay Williams, and Richard Jefferson.
For Wednesday’s NBA Draft coverage on ESPN, Andrews will be joined again by Bilas, Marks, Charania, and Fraschilla, in addition to analysts Brian Windhorst, Iman Shumpert, and King McClure. Vanessa Richardson will replace Salters as the reporter.
2026 NBA Draft Betting Odds
Ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, former BYU standout A.J. Dybantsa is the heavy betting favorite (-700) to be the No. 1 overall selection by the Wizards, according to the latest odds at the DraftKings Sportsbook, followed by Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson (+600) and Duke forward Cameron Boozer (+4000). The Jazz and the Grizzlies have the No. 2 and No. 3 draft selections, respectively.