NBA Draft 2021 live stream: How to watch online, channel, start time

NBA Draft 2021 live stream: Cade Cunningham may go at No. 1
(Image credit: Icon Sportswire / Getty NBA Draft)

It's almost time for the NBA Draft 2021 live stream, and it looks like we have a lock for No. 1. That's right folks, ESPN's industry-whisperer Adrian Wojnarowski has revealed that which we were all saying yesterday: the Detroit Pistons are ready to select Cade Cunningham as the No. 1 pick overall. 

NBA Draft 2021 live stream start time, channel

Round 1 starts at 8 p.m. ET today (Thursday, July 29)
Channels: ABC, ESPN and ESPN3
Watch in the U.S. on Sling TV, currently on sale down to $10 for the first month.
Watch anywhere: Try ExpressVPN risk-free

Behind him? We're not going to claim to know the order they'll go in, but Scottie Barnes, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs are all likely to fill out the No. 2-6 picks. And let's look at the drama inherent in those picks.

Previously, word was that Evan Mobley was locked into number 2, but many are starting to think that the Rockets will take Jalen Green (fresh out of the G League's Ignore). Jalen Suggs is a dark-horse for the No. 2 pick.

But let's cut to the chase: we've got everything you need to watch the 2021 NBA Draft online, and the order of draft picks as well.

How to watch the NBA Draft 2021 with a VPN

If you've had to leave your own "bubble" -- and you can't watch the NBA Draft 2021 on the services you already pay for, you're not out of luck. With a virtual private network, or VPN, you can appear to be surfing the web from your home town (or somewhere that blackouts won't hit), and access the same streaming services you already paid for. 

Not sure which VPN is right for you? We've tested many different services and our pick for the best VPN overall is ExpressVPN. It offers superb speeds and excellent customer service. But you've got other VPN options as well. Here are our top picks.

ExpressVPN

We think speed, security and simplicity make <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ftomsguide%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN second to none. During our tests, we saw fast connection times, and we're impressed by the service's ability to access more than 3,000 services spread out across 160 locations in 94 countries. Its 30-day money-back guarantee is another perk.

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, ExpressVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your website or streaming service of choice and tune in.

NBA Draft 2021 live streams in the US

NBA Draft 2021 live streams in the US

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In the U.S. the NBA Draft airs on ABC, ESPN and ESPN3, at 8 p.m. ET, with pre-show coverage starting half an hour earlier. 

If you've already cut the cord and don't have a cable package, you'll be able to get this game on YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and FuboTV

We recommend you go with Sling, one of the best streaming services, even though it doesn't have ABC (though you can get it with one of the best TV antennas) it does have ESPN and ESPN3

ESPN is included in the Sling Orange package, which costs $35 per month normally, and is currently $10 for the first month right now. 

Sling TV:

<a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/221109/1132376/14334?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F" data-link-merchant="sling.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sling TV: You can get ESPN and ESPN3 in the Sling Orange package. The 30-plus channels in the lineup include AMC, CNN, Food Network, AMC, Comedy Central, HGTV and many more.

Fubo.TV:

<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/?irad=366904&irmp=221109&subId1=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="fubo.tv"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fubo.TV: If you love sports, you probably want to check out Fubo.TV. It's got a 7-day free trial so you don't need to pay up front. Fubo's dozens of channels include local networks like ABC and ESPN. You can also add on NBA TV. Fubo doesn't have TNT.

NBA Draft 2021 live streams in the UK

NBA Draft 2021 live streams in the UK

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Even though the NBA season is over Sky Sports is still your destination. Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena will host the NBA Draft starting at 12:30 a.m. BST.

NBA Draft 2021 live streams in Canada

NBA Draft 2021 live streams in Canada

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Hoops fans in Canada can get the NBA Draft 2021 both on TSN4 and SN360, and TSN and Sportsnet can both be added to your existing cable package.

NBA Draft 2021 pick order

  1. Detroit Pistons
  2. Houston Rockets
  3. Cleveland Cavaliers
  4. Toronto Raptors
  5. Orlando Magic
  6. Oklahoma City Thunder
  7. Golden State Warriors (via Minnesota Timberwolves)
  8. Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls)
  9. Sacramento Kings
  10. New Orleans Pelicans
  11. Charlotte Hornets
  12. San Antonio Spurs
  13. Indiana Pacers
  14. Golden State Warriors
  15. Washington Wizards
  16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Boston Celtics)
  17. Memphis Grizzlies
  18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami Heat)
  19. New York Knicks
  20. Atlanta Hawks
  21. New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)
  22. Los Angeles Lakers
  23. Houston Rockets (via Portland Trail Blazers)
  24. Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee Bucks)
  25. Los Angeles Clippers
  26. Denver Nuggets
  27. Brooklyn Nets
  28. Philadelphia 76ers
  29. Phoenix Suns
  30. Utah Jazz [END OF ROUND 1]
  31. Milwaukee Bucks (via Houston Rockets) [START OF ROUND 2]
  32. New York Knicks (via Detroit Pistons)
  33. Orlando Magic
  34. Oklahoma City Thunder
  35. New Orleans Pelicans (via Cleveland Cavaliers)
  36. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Minnesota Timberwolves)
  37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto Raptors)
  38. Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans Pelicans)
  39. Sacramento Kings
  40. New Orleans Pelicans (via Chicago Bulls)
  41. San Antonio Spurs
  42. Detroit Pistons (via Charlotte Hornets)
  43. New Orleans Pelicans (via Washington Wizards)
  44. Brooklyn Nets (via Indiana Pacers)
  45. Boston Celtics
  46. Toronto Raptors (via Memphis Grizzlies)
  47. Toronto Raptors (via Golden State Warriors)
  48. Atlanta Hawks (via Miami Hawks)
  49. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks)
  50. Philadelphia 76ers (via New York Knicks)
  51. Memphis Grizzlies (via Portland Trail Blazers)
  52. Detroit Pistons (via Los Angeles Lakers)
  53. New Orleans Pelicans (via Dallas Mavericks)
  54. Indiana Pacers (via Milwaukee Bucks)
  55. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Denver Nuggets)
  56. Charlotte Hornets (via Los Angeles Clippers)
  57. Charlotte Hornets (via Brooklyn Nets)
  58. New York Knicks (via Philadelphia 76ers)
  59. Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix Suns)
  60. Indiana Pacers (via Utah Jazz)

Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.