Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. Deals

NBA Draft 2024 live stream: Can you watch for free?

Add as a preferred source on Google

For the first time in 35 years, the 2024 NBA Draft will be split into multiple days. The first round takes place on Wednesday, June 25, while the second round will be on Thursday.

Round 1 (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ET start time) will be televised on both ESPN and ABC, while Round 2 (Thursday, 4 p.m. ET start time) will be on ESPN. But if you don’t have cable and want to stream NBA without cable, here are all the best ways you can watch a live stream of the NBA draft for free or cheap.

Is there a free NBA Draft 2024 live stream?

Fubo splash screen on a TV.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

There are three different ways you can watch a free live stream of the 2024 NBA Draft: Fubo (“Pro” channel package), YouTube TV (“Base Plan”) or DirecTV Stream (“Entertainment” channel package or above). All of these live-TV streaming services include both ABC (live in most markets) and ESPN, and all of them come with a free trial.

The Fubo free trial is seven days, while YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream each give you five days for free. For all of them, you’ll need a credit card when signing up, but as long as you cancel your subscription before the trials come to an end, you won’t be charged. Everything that’s included in a normal subscription is available during the trial, so you’ll be able to watch both days of the draft live at no cost.

Watch the NBA Draft 2024 live stream on Sling TV

Sling TV on Apple TV.
Sling TV

All three of the aforementioned streaming services can get a bit pricey beyond the free trial, so if you’ve exhausted all of those options, Sling TV is a nice alternative. The “Sling Orange” comes with ESPN–which is all you need to watch both days of the draft–and it costs just $20 for your first month.

There’s no free trial with Sling, but at that price point, it’s worth trying out for a month, especially if you’re wanting to watch the draft.

Watch the NBA Draft 2024 live stream from abroad

NordVPN app listing on Apple TV.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

A virtual private network (VPN) is a good service to have simply because it offers security and privacy while online. But it can also help in streaming content from abroad, as it hides your location/IP address and connects you to a digital server in your country of choice, allowing you to access content as if you were actually physically located in that country. As such, even if you’re outside the US, you can use a VPN to connect to Fubo, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream or Sling TV.

Though there are plenty of good VPN’s that will work here, we’ll mention NordVPN, which tops our list of the best VPN services. It’s safe, fast and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it out risk-free.

Tim Keeney
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tim is a long-time sports journalist who has written about everything from the NFL to more popular sports such as chess…
Topics
Christopher Nolan’s personal take on smartphones is surprisingly practical
Christopher Nolan says not owning a smartphone helps him think better
Christopher Nolan sits in front of an IMAX camera.

Christopher Nolan has spent his career embracing cutting-edge filmmaking technology while resisting one of the most common gadgets on the planet: the smartphone. The Oscar-winning director behind Oppenheimer, Inception, and the upcoming The Odyssey says his decision isn't about rejecting technology altogether. It's about protecting something he believes has become increasingly rare - time to think.

In an interview with The Telegraph ahead of the premiere of The Odyssey, Nolan explained that he still doesn't own a smartphone, despite living in a world where QR codes, digital tickets, and messaging apps have become everyday necessities. His reasoning, however, is far more practical than philosophical.

Read more
Letterboxd could find a new home at Netflix, but Sony is fighting for it, too
Netflix wants Letterboxd, but Hollywood isn't letting it go without a fight
Letterboxd

Letterboxd, the fast-growing social network for film lovers, could soon have a new owner. According to a report by Puck News, the New Zealand-based platform has been exploring a potential sale, attracting interest from several major entertainment companies, including Netflix, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Paramount Skydance.

While no deal has been confirmed, the discussions highlight how valuable online fan communities have become as streaming platforms compete not just for viewers, but also for the audiences that influence what people watch next.

Read more
Disney+ is exploring a free tier to fight back against YouTube’s growing TV dominance
Disney is eyeing a free tier as YouTube keeps stealing its TV audience
The Disney+ app on a TV screen while blue lights illuminate the wall behind.

Watching Disney+ without paying for a subscription could eventually become an option. According to Business Insider, Disney is considering a free tier that would let people watch some content without a paywall.

The idea is still in the early stages, with no timeline or launch details, but it reflects a growing challenge. YouTube and other free, ad-supported platforms like Tubi and Roku are attracting more TV viewers, forcing streaming services to rethink how they compete.

Read more