NBA Draft Watch: 2020 NBA Draft Key Dates and Description

 A few finite dates and details for the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft have come into focus 

As the NBA was in the midst of finalizing the details of a vote that would determine a return to play for the league, the affect of that on the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft had remained to be seen. With certain dates as it relates to the resumption of the season having recently been finalized, it seems as though that allowed the league's concentration and focus to turn to that of the draft and specific dates that were to be determined surrounding the event and the format and/or process leading up to the occurrence of it. 

Initial dates of May 19th and June 25th were set for that of the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery and the NBA Draft itself, which were obviously altered and effected along with the entire league by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Following reports a few weeks ago that stated the 2020 NBA Draft would occur on Thursday, October 15th, more recently revised and revealed reports state that the league office has agreed to have the event take place a day later on Friday, October 16th — potentially to avoid conflict and having to compete for ratings with Thursday Night Football in the NFL which has defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs and playoff qualifying Buffalo Bills scheduled to take the stage that evening. 

Along with the tentative revelation of the decided date for the 2020 NBA Draft, reports have also rendered a few other days on the calendar surrounding the event and the format/process of it leading to the day of the draft.

 Specifically, prospects will have until August 17th to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft as individuals who may have declared and since withdrawn their name from the upcoming class of characters looking to come to the league could now reaffirm their initial decision to declare, if they so choose. The date for the draft lottery has also been determined to take place about a week later on August 25th, which would likely coincide with the early portion of the NBA Playoffs. 

As it relates to prospects considering departing school early, the chief college basketball governing body has set a date of its own — that of August 3rd — in which individuals who are pondering the thought of going pro have until to decide whether to return to school in an effort to retain their college eligibility for the following season. 

That date could cause some conflict of interests for a few individuals as the final deadline to withdraw their name for the NBA Draft as stipulated by the league is that of October 6th, approximately ten days ahead of the day of the draft. 

The varying dates and deadlines set by the organization that regulates college basketball and that of the NBA could very well place potential draft picks in an unfavorable situation. For should they use the full time provided by the NBA to only then withdraw from draft considerations, they would then jeopardize their ability to return to the court on the collegiate level next season (should there be one). 

Beyond the dates and details mentioned above, reports didn't find anything further, specifically as it relates to the major pre-draft even that being the NBA Draft Combine — as well as the specifics surrounding that of team meetings/workouts with prospects, in addition to those orchestrated by certain sports agencies for their clients who are potential draft picks. 

With the affect the coronavirus pandemic had on all sports, specifically that of the college basketball and effectively causing March Madness to be canceled, the significance of the NBA Draft Combine this year could and should serve to be of its most meaningful in recent memory. As many players missed a major opportunity to impress NBA team personnel in not being afforded a chance to perform on a prominent platform that often propels the draft prowess for at least a few prospects a year. 

Having had such a hiatus between the end of the college basketball season and now, as well as considering the reality that many facilities weren't made available to be utilized across the country during the duration, analysts, scouts, and front office executives are likely eager to see what level of condition and skill prospects are able to perform in a return to the court. 

Each individual's competence as it relates to that realm could be a true determining factor when it comes time to decide their draft status as teams across the league may potentially seek and see that as a signal of their personal preparation and professionalism, by and large. 

It remains to be seen if and when an announcement might be made that would explain the details of the different and numerous particulars of the pre-draft process as it relates to prospects being able to communicate with and perform in front of NBA teams.