Why are there only 58 players in the 2024 NBA Draft instead of the usual 60?

The NBA Draft is one of the most significant events in the U.S. sports calendar, and it's approaching once again. This month, teams from the elite basketball league will select the best young talents aiming to break into the prestigious league.

However, this year, the selection process will be a bit different: the 2024 NBA Draft will be the first in history to be held over two nights. While the NBA Draft has consisted of two rounds since 1989, this year's event will take place over two days: Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27 (8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, marking the first draft conducted in this manner.

Another unique aspect of the 2024 draft is that only 58 teams will make their selections, instead of the usual 60. Two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns, will be excluded due to violations of player signing rules.

The league had to take action after it was revealed that these two franchises violated the rules regarding player communications outside the allowed period, known as "tampering," which is strictly prohibited. In the case of the 76ers, the penalty began in 2023 when they lost one of their two draft picks. Reports indicated that the franchise engaged in free agency talks with P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr. before the allowed date. As a result, they forfeited a draft pick in 2023, and the penalty extends to this year as well.

Early negotiations with Drew Eubanks led to the Suns' ban from the draft, as they initiated talks before the allowed date. They lost a second-round pick for the big man, who averaged 5.1 points on 60.1% shooting and 4.3 rebounds in 75 regular-season games in 2023/24. However, reports indicate that the Phoenix Suns player now plans to decline his $2.6 million player option and become a free agent.