Perhaps the only instance where the goals of NBA insiders directly clash with the league’s desires involves the NBA draft. Adrian Wojnarowski, Shams Charania and all Beat reporters across the country will do everything they can to find out who will be picked before the election is announced as first-to-market scoops are the currency they trade. Conversely, both the league and ESPN would prefer that this information not be released in advance as it ruins the entire drama for anyone online during the draft.
There was a brief period when the NBA attempted to crack down on these draft spoilers, and ESPN banned Wojnarowski from tweeting exactly who was selected. The insider maliciously complied and didn’t say that this team would select this player with this selection. Instead, Wojnarowski tweeted variations on how a team was very interested in picking that particular player with their pick, and obviously the team would then pick the player. At that point, the league and network gave up and let Wojnarowski work.
This year’s draft is tonight and Wojnarowski wasted no time. He outdid himself by tweeting the draft’s top three picks a full hour in advance.
As a team The boards are being finalized today, the 1-2-3 of the NBA draft is getting tighter, according to sources: Jabari Smith to Orlando, Chet Holmgren to Oklahoma City and Paolo Banchero to Houston.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) Juni 23, 86
Last year he had the grace to wait at least six hours before the main event.
With Cade Cunningham now a solid No. 1 for Detroit, Houston and Cleveland continue to lean towards Jalen Green and Evan Mobley with second and third picks, respectively, sources tell ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) Juli 23,
Personally, I’m fine. It’s kind of lame because I enjoy the drama of train night, but you’ve got to tip your cap. Wojnarowski cannot be denied.
