Breaking down key numbers to know before the NBA Draft takes place on Thursday. By Official Release url copied to clipboard NBA Draft 2021 will take place on Thursday, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. ABC will televise the first round of the NBA Draft for the first time, and ESPN will air both rounds. Twenty draft prospects are scheduled to attend and have their once-in-a-lifetime experience on the biggest stage. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum will announce the selections for the first and second rounds, respectively.