The NBA has squandered a large opportunity to make money off of televising the NBA All-Star draft.

This is the first time that the NBA has had an All-Star draft, shying away from the previous format of the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference. With this interesting, new format of the leading vote receivers in each respective conference being selected to draft his team, one would assume that the NBA would jump at the chance to make money off of televising such an event. Basketball fans across the nation would love to see this draft televised; seeing which players are chosen first and which are chosen last.

The leading vote reciever in the West was Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and the leading vote reciever in the East was LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both Curry and James were able to pick their teams from the players who were voted in by the fans.

Team Curry consists of Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) and James Harden (Houston Rockets) as starters alongside Curry. As reserves, Curry selected Jimmy Butler (Minnesota Timberwolves), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Al Horford (Boston Celtics), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors), Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors) and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves).

Team James drafted DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans Pelicans), Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors) and Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics) to join him as starters. But, an injury to Cousins forced Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder to be included on team James. James also drafted LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks), John Wall (Washington Wizards) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) as his reserves. Yet another injury to one of team James’ players, Wall, will force another reserve (not yet chosen) to fill in for him.

With all of these players to be drafted, the NBA could easily make an hour or two program in which they would be able to entertain viewers and make money at the same time. Hopefully, next year, the NBA will be sensible enough to televise the All-Star draft.