Why do NBA draft picks wear other teams’ hats?

ESPN's Scott Van Pelt sounds off on NBA draft's 'hat situation'

The NBA doesn't announce draft-day trades until after picks are made, which can lead to some awkward photo moments, as this year's draft showed.

Scott Van Pelt can’t stand this baffling part about NBA draft

Players wearing the hat of the team that picked them has become a staple of the draft, but draft-night trades have made for some awkward photo-ops, which ESPN host Scott Van Pelt is furious about.

Why do NBA Draft picks wear other teams' caps? How trade process impacts hat choices

Here's how league rules have resulted in some hat choices that may be quite confusing to look back at.

Why do NBA draft picks wear other teams' hats?

(NEXSTAR) — It's a unique situation that happens year after year at the annual NBA Draft: Draft picks have to walk up on stage after they hear their name called and are forced to wear a team's hat, knowing they'll never actually play for that team. In most sports—like in the NFL—when a player is selected on draft night, they receive a hat from the team that picked them. They put it on, walk up on a stage, shake the commissioner's hand, and begin…

Why do NBA draft picks wear other teams’ hats?

(NEXSTAR) — It’s a unique situation that happens year after year at the annual NBA Draft: Draft picks have to walk up on stage after they hear their name called and are forced to wear a team’s hat, knowing they’ll never actually play for that team. In most sports—like in the NFL—when a player is […]

The NBA Draft Has A Hat Problem

Source: Sarah Stier / Getty The NBA Draft Has A Hat Problem The NBA Draft is one of the most exciting events in basketball, but it continues to grapple with a longstanding quirk known as the “hat problem.” During the draft, players are given team hats to wear as soon as their names are called. However, due to the prominence of draft-night trades, players often end up wearing hats for teams they will never play for, leaving fans and even players …