The freshmen are expected to be the top two selections in the NBA draft, and Simmons can't wait to hear his name called. It's surreal, but you know I'm looking forward to it, the LSU forward said. The 2016 NBA Draft is set for Thursday, June 23 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The draft starts at 7 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. central) on ESPN. The event will be streamed live online at WatchESPN.com.