liveUpdated 8s agoThe 2026 NBA Draft begins Tuesday night, but fireworks began a night early when the Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in a long-rumored blockbuster move.The Athletic NBA StaffJune 23, 2026 at 7:15 AM EDTGiannis Antetokounmpo will join the Heat after the Bucks finally agreed to move on from their franchise player. Stacy Revere / Getty Images2026 NBA Draft — the latestThe 2026 NBA Draft will get underway at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday, but the league is still buzzing about Giannis Antetokounmpo getting traded to the Miami Heat.The two teams agreed to a long-rumored blockbuster deal late Monday evening. Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis will head to Miami, while Milwaukee will receive Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, three first-round picks. a first-round pick swap and one second-round pick.The Wizards, who recently agreed to a four-year, $212 million contract to retain guard Trae Young, have the No. 1 pick and are still deciding between BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Kansas' Darryn Peterson. They, along with Duke's Cameron Boozer and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson, are the consensus top prospects in this class.Follow along all day for live analysis, news, reaction, intel and more from our crew of NBA reporters.Time: 8 p.m. ETTV: ABC, ESPN and ESPN UnlimitedStreaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now!)NBA Draft 2026 schedule David Banks / Imagn ImagesFor the third straight season, the NBA Draft will be held over two nights. The first round will take place tonight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, and be televised on ABC and ESPN. Teams will get five minutes between picks 1-30 before we take a break for the night. The second round will begin with pick No. 31 at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on ESPN. Teams will have four minutes between selections 31-60. Where is the draft taking place? Ishika Samant / Getty ImagesBoth nights of the 2026 NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets.How to watch the NBA Draft David Banks / Imagn ImagesThere are two different viewing options for the first round: ABC and ESPN.ABC’s presentation takes on a narrative bend, with feature-like packages on the biggest names. The ABC telecast is hosted by Kevin Negandhi. Desk analysts include former NBA players Richard Jefferson, Kenny Smith and Jay Williams. Jefferson was the 13th pick of the 2001 draft, Smith was No. 6 in 1987 and Williams went second overall in 2002.ESPN counters with more analytical and statistical appraisals. That telecast starts an hour before the draft at 7 p.m. and is hosted by Malika Andrews, who is flanked by commentators Jay Bilas, Tim Legler, Bobby Marks and Andraya Carter. Bilas was the 108th selection in 1986, back when the draft had a full seven rounds. However, he never played in an NBA game. Legler, meanwhile, went undrafted but wound up with a 10-year NBA career from 1989 to 2000.The ESPN presentation also has insider Shams Charania, international basketball expert Fran Fraschilla and field reporter Lisa Salters. ESPN’s digital show, “Hoop Streams,” is in the building and on the ESPN app throughout Tuesday.Wednesday’s second round is on ESPN exclusively and anchored by Andrews. Joining her are Bilas, Charania, Fraschilla and Marks. This second night adds King McClure, Iman Shumpert and Brian Windhorst to the coverage. What time is the draft? David Banks / Imagn ImagesThe first round of the 2026 NBA Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday. The second round will commence at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.Welcome to our live coverage! David Banks / Imagn ImagesHello, hoops fans! Welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of tonight’s first round of the NBA Draft.One of the best days on the calendar is here. The start of this NBA Draft provides hope to teams that struggled last season — and those who thrived. Top prospects will be drafted into the NBA, with the chance to become future stars.This is also the unofficial kickoff to the offseason, which is expected to be active as teams adjust their rosters to dethrone the recently crowned champions, the New York Knicks.Stay at The Athletic for news, updates, analysis and pick-by-pick commentary from the first to the 60th selection.