NBA Draft Sees 10 Players Wearing Wrong Hats Amid Trade Rules

During the 2025 NBA Draft, ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt publicly criticized the NBA's tradition of having players wear the hats of teams that drafted them before trades become official, calling it a needless and confusing practice. This occurs because trades agreed upon before or during the draft are not officially completed until the new league year starts in July, forcing players to don the hat of a team they will never play for, as seen with picks like Khaman Maluach and historic examples such as Kobe Bryant and Trae Young. Van Pelt and many fans argue that the NBA should adopt a straightforward fix, either by adjusting the calendar or announcing trades beforehand, allowing players to wear the correct hats and avoid awkward photo moments. This issue has become a recurring frustration, diminishing the significance of the moment for players and their families, as well as puzzling commentators and viewers. Unlike the NFL, which announces trades before picks, the NBA’s current process results in players symbolically representing the wrong franchise on stage. The widespread call for change highlights a simple yet impactful opportunity for the league to improve the draft experience.