2020 NBA Draft to be held on Oct. 16

The 2020 NBA Draft is set for Oct. 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the league announced on Saturday.

In normal times, the annual event is held in June. But the COVID-19 pandemic has altered all aspects of the NBA calendar, forcing the 2020 NBA Draft to be rescheduled.

The NBA is currently preparing to relaunch the 2019-20 season, which was suspended on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Twenty-two teams are scheduled to compete at Walt Disney World in Florida starting in late July.

The early entry deadline for collegiate players is Aug. 17. Oct. 6 is the early entry withdrawal date.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 2020 NBA Draft lottery was postponed until Aug. 25. It had been scheduled for May 25.

Zion Williamson was the No. 1 in the 2019 NBA Draft, which was held at Barclays Center.

A look ahead

After the completion of the 2020 NBA Draft, free agents and teams can start discussions on Oct. 18.