The 2025 NBA Draft, set for Jun 25-26 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, promises a pivotal moment for the league. Young talents will enter the spotlight as teams like the Dallas Mavericks, who won the draft lottery, aims to reshape their futures.
While the prospects drive the story, the broadcasters responsible for narrating this two-night spectacle hold equal significance. For the 23rd straight year, ESPN and ABC will anchor the NBA Draft. They’ve put together a fantastic group of commentators to walk fans through every pick, trade, and unexpected moment.
Veteran Voices and Fresh Faces Shape the Broadcast
Night One
On Jun 25, 2025, the first round kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, with ABC and ESPN offering distinct presentations. ABC’s coverage, hosted by Kevin Negandhi, leans on the charisma and insight of Stephen A. Smith, whose bold takes have defined sports commentary for decades, and Bob Myers, a two-time NBA Executive of the Year whose front-office expertise adds gravitas.
Monica McNutt, a rising star known for her sharp reporting, will roam the floor, capturing the night’s pulse.
A unique touch comes from Marty Smith, who’ll report from Cooper Flagg’s hometown watch party in Newport, Maine, weaving a personal thread into the broadcast. Smith’s segments will also appear on ESPN’s feed during the opening moments.
ESPN’s coverage, meanwhile, centers on Malika Andrews, whose confident hosting has made her a cornerstone of the network’s NBA coverage. Andrews will anchor a panel featuring Jay Bilas, a draft expert with unmatched scout acumen; Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA champion; and Andraya Carter.
Shams Charania, ESPN’s senior NBA insider, makes his draft debut, delivering real-time scoops on trades and deals. Bobby Marks, a front-office insider, and Jonathan Givony, a global draft expert, will break down team strategies and player fits, rounding out a team built for depth.
The night’s buildup includes ESPN’s NBA Today from 3-4 p.m., hosted by Christine Williamson at Barclays, followed by the NBA Today: Draft Red Carpet Special from 5-6 p.m. A day earlier, on June 24, ESPN airs an NBA Draft Special from 7-8 p.m., priming fans for the main event.
Night Two
In the second round, airing exclusively on ESPN on June 26 at 8 p.m., Andrews returns as host, joined again by Bilas, Perkins, and now Myers, who shifts from ABC’s first-night crew.
McNutt continues her reporting duties, while Charania, Marks, and Givony stay on for news and analysis. Brian Windhorst, a senior NBA writer with a knack for big-picture storytelling, joins the mix, offering context as the draft’s later picks unfold.
ESPN Radio complements the TV coverage, starting at 7:30 p.m. both nights. Alan Hahn hosts, with analysts P.J. Carlesimo, Seth Greenberg, and Cory Alexander breaking down the action for audio audiences.
For digital fans, ESPN’s YouTube and Facebook platforms will stream a live reaction show on June 25, starting at 7:50 p.m. Produced with Omaha Productions, it features Windhorst alongside Kenny Beecham, Pierre Andresen, Mike Heard, and Darrick Miller from the Numbers on the Board crew, offering a casual, fan-driven take on the first round.
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