The NBA Draft has 60 total picks , split evenly across two rounds of 30 picks each, assuming no picks are forfeited or moved for penalties.

Standard draft structure

  • Number of rounds : 2 rounds (first round + second round).
  • Picks per round : 30 selections per round → 60 picks in total for a “full” draft.
  • Teams : All 30 NBA teams each own one automatic first‑round pick , and additional second‑round selections can exist through trades or penalties, but the maximum legal total remains 60.

Why the number sometimes changes

If teams are penalized (for tampering, draft‑order violations, etc.), they may forfeit a second‑round pick , which brings the actual number of picks in a given year below 60 (e.g., 58 or 59 in recent seasons).

For 2026, barring new violations, the draft is expected to have a full complement of 60 picks again.

If you’d like, the next step can break down how the 30 first‑round spots are distributed (lottery, non‑lottery, traded picks) in more detail.