NBA Draft Notes
Suns docked 2024 second-round pick after league says team violated free agency rules
October 25, 2023
PHOENIX (AP) -- The Pheonix Suns were docked a 2024 a 2024 second-round draft pick by the NBA on Wednesday after the league said the team violated league rules on the timing of this season's free agency discussions.
The league said the Suns engaged in free agency discussions with forward Drew Eubanks before the date that talks were permitted. Eubanks eventually signed with the Suns.
The pick the Suns lost was originally Denver’s and was acquired from the Orlando Magic in a previous trade. The league said the Suns cooperated with the investigation.
“We are disappointed with the results of the NBA investigation,” the Suns said in a statement. “If there was a violation, it was inadvertent. We are focused on complying with league rules and competing at the highest level every year.
“With that being said, we accept the penalty from the league and are focused on looking forward to this season.”
Source: Associated Press
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NBA Bullets Draft Monroe, Small Colleges' Top Scorer
May 05, 1967
New York -- The Baltimore Bullets today selected Earl Monroe, the nation’s top scorer last season and a little All-America in the National Basketball Association’s college draft.
The Bullets then announced they had signed the 6-foot-3 inch Monroe, had also had been drafted by the Pittsburgh club of the newly-formed American Basketball Association. Monroe, of Winston-Salem State, N.C., had averaged 41.5 points a game last season to lead the NCAA’s Small-College Division Scorers.
Jimmy Walker, No. 1 earlier, the Providence College (R.I.) All-America, was drafted and signed by the Detroit Pistons.
In the abbreviated second round , only seven players were selected. By agreement this normally is limited to the five teams finishing with the poorest win-lost records, but the two expansion teams were added.
Source: Associated Press
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NBA Draft Called Weird
May 09, 1968
New York -- The 14 members of the National basketball Association, beating the bushes desperately for a "find," completed the 1968 college player draft Wednesday in what one coach called, "the weirdest thing I've seen in years."
The San Diego Rockets opened the second round by selecting John Q. Trapp, a center from Nevada Southern, and immediately club officials at the other tables frantically began to search through their notes to figure out who Trapp was. The confusion continued through most of the 12 rounds as 162 players were drafted, many from schools as unfamiliar to the team officials as were the individuals themselves.
In what was admittedly a weak crop of seniors, most of the top talent had gone in the first round, held April 1 via telephone hookup.
In that first round, Elvin Hayes of Houston, the player of the year, was drafted first and signed by San Diego while All-American Wes Unseld, the highest scorer in Louisville history, was picked and signed by Baltimore.
Other first round choices were: Bob Kauffman of Guilford by Seattle; Tom Boerwinkle of Tennessee by Chicago; Don Smith of Iowa State by Cincinnati; Otto Moore of Pan American by Detroit; Charles Paulk of Northeast Oklahoma by Milwaukee; and Gary Gregor of South Carolina by Phoenix.
Only seven teams picked in the second round. The NBA announced that in an effort to strengthen the weaker clubs in the league, the top three teams in the final 1967-68 standings in each division would not be allowed selections the second time around.
But the ability of the second round selections to strengthen their new employers remained questionable.
Of the eight players picked, 6-8 Manny Leaks of Niagara, who went to Detroit, was the only name that did not have to be repeated twice by Walter Kennedy, the league commissioner, who ran Wednesday's activities
Source: United Press International,
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NBA strips Philadelphia 76ers of two draft picks for tampering
Ocotber 31, 2022
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The NBA stripped the Philadelphia 76ers of second-round draft picks in 2023 and 2024 on Monday after an investigation into tampering during offseason free-agency moves.
The league said the Sixers engaged in discussions involving free agents P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr. before the date when talks could begin. Teams were not allowed to have conversations with agents or players on free-agent contracts before 6 p.m. on June 30.
Tucker signed a $30 million, three-year contract and House signed for $8.4 million over two years. The Sixers were able to sign Tucker to the full mid-level exception and House to the bi-annual exception because star guard James Harden declined his $47.4 million option and agreed to be paid about $14.5 million less this coming season to give the 76ers flexibility in signing players.
If Harden had opted in before his June 30 deadline, Philadelphia would have had a much more difficult time finding the money to attract free agents.
“The Philadelphia 76ers fully cooperated with the NBA’s investigation and acknowledge the league’s ruling,” the team said in a statement. “We’re moving forward, focused on the season ahead.”
“The Sixers are hoping to make a run at the NBA title with a roster led by Joel Embiid and Harden. Tucker was brought in to be the defensive difference-maker the team lacked last season.
The NBA approved stiffer penalties for tampering in 2019 and stripped a draft pick from both the Chicago Bulls for early contact with Lonzo Ball and the Miami Heat for doing the same with Kyle Lowry in the summer of 2021.
Source: Associated Press
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NBA imposes penalties on Bulls, Heat for early free agent discussions
July 29, 2021
New York, December 1, 2021 -- The NBA announced today that the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat each violated league rules governing the timing of this season’s free agency discussions and that the league has directed that each team’s next available second-round draft pick be forfeited.
These determinations followed investigations into free agency discussions engaged in by the Bulls with respect to Lonzo Ball and by the Heat with respect to Kyle Lowry.
Source: NBA Communications
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NBA Admits Worry Over NIBL Loop
April 28, 1952
Milwaukee -- National Basketball Association officials admitted Saturday they were worried over competition from the Amateur National Industrial Basketball League.
The professional circuit magnates, holding their annual draft session to select players for the next season, declined for the first time to reveal the order of their choices "because it would give our opposition an idea of who we think are the best collegiate prospects."
Earlier NBA President Maurice Podoloff announced that two of the strongest NIBL clubs--the Phillips Oilers and the Peoria Caterpillar Tractors--were being invited to join the pro loop "because their plan of operation was such as to warrant and justify the offer."
Although the draft choices announced after a three-hour closed session were listed by teams rather than rounds, it was revealed that eight of the 10 league clubs passed big Clyde Lovellette of Kanas as thier opening pick. The Minneapolis Lakers, already owners of George Mikan chose the 6'-9' KU all-American center, who before the draft started was said to have turned down a $60,000 annual salary offered by the Milwaukee Hawks. Loveellette has said he will play with the Phillips team in the NIBL and be employed in the orl firm's plant.
"We have Mikan and we can gamble on signing Lovellette," explained Max Winter, Lakers general manager. "We don't know how much longer Mikan will last, but if he's in there next year and we do get Lovellette, I'll see if I can't make a deal for him with Milwaukee.
Source: Associated Press,
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- Written by Matthew Maurer
Bucks lose 2022 2nd-round pick over early Bogdanovic talks
July 29, 2021
New York (AP) -- The Milwaukee Bucks were docked a 2022 second-round pick after the NBA determined the team held discussions with Bogdan Bogdanovic or his agent before it was allowed under free agency rules.
The league said Monday the Bucks’ rule violation constituted “conduct detrimental to the NBA.”
Reports surfaced in the days leading to the start of last month’s free agency period that the Bucks had agreed on a sign-and-trade that would have brought Bogdanovic and Justin James to Milwaukee while sending Donte DiVincenzo, D.J. Wilson and Ersan Ilyasova to the Sacramento Kings.
The trade fizzled as the NBA announced it was investigating whether the move had been agreed upon earlier than league rules allow.
Bogdanovic, a restricted free agent, ended up signing with Atlanta when Sacramento chose to not match the Hawks’ four-year, $72 million offer sheet. Ilyasova was waived, but DiVincenzo and Wilson remain with the Bucks.
NBA officials said they took into account several factors in the decision: the Bucks’ cooperation with the investigation; the Bucks ultimately not signing Bogdanovic; and the lack of evidence of an impermissible early agreement on contract terms.
“We were fully cooperative with the league and we look forward to our season beginning on Wednesday,” the Bucks said Monday in a statement.
Source: Associated Press
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- Written by Matthew Maurer
NBA Selects Terrence Clarke
July 29, 2021
New York -- Terrence Clarke, the former Kentucky guard who died in a car accident while preparing for the NBA draft, was recognized Thursday in a ceremony midway through the first round.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver introduced Clarke’s mother, brother and sister.
“It is my honor to now announce that with the next pick in the 2021 NBA draft, the NBA selects Terrence Clarke from the University of Kentucky,” Silver said as Clarke’s family members went up to the stage and put on NBA hats.
Silver embraced each of Clarke’s family members as the crowd chanted “Terrence! Terrence!”
“He was so ready for (the draft), so excited,” Clarke’s mother, Osmine Clarke, said in a videotaped interview on the ESPN draft telecast following the ceremony. “That was all he talked about, just going to the draft. ‘Mommy, am I ready for this? This is big.’ I’m like, ’Yes, Terrence. You wouldn’t have been in this position if people didn’t think you were this good.”
Clarke had declared for the draft after playing one season at Kentucky. He died April 22 at the age of 19 following a car accident in Los Angeles.
“Terrence Clarke was a beautiful kid, someone who owned the room with his personality, smile and joy,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said in a statement after Clarke’s death.
Clarke played just eight games for Kentucky due to a leg injury but had been expected to get drafted. He made six starts for Kentucky and averaged 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Source: Associated Press
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Pro Cage Club Drafts Prep Player of '60
January 3, 1956
St. Louis -- The St. Louis Hawks of the National Basketball Association, announced today they will select 6-5 Jack Pirrie of the suburban Maplewood High School as their first draft choice for the 1960 season.
The 16-year-old Pirrie was described by Coach Red Holzman of the Hawks as one of the greatest high school players he has ever seen.
Pirrie will be the-second-high school star selected under a new NBA rule that permits a club to draft a high school senior living in that club's territorial limits.
The first youngster selected under the rule was 7-1 Wilt (The Stilt) chamberlain, named by the Philadelphia Warriors last spring when he was in high school in Philadelphia.
Source: Associated Press,
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Cincinnati Royals Lay Claim to Jerry Lucas
April 23, 1958
Detroit -- The Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association want Seattle University's Elgin Baylor but the tall All-America says he isn't interested--not this year at least.
Minneapolis was the first team to receive a balk following Tuesday's draft here of the country's top court talent by the eight NBA teams.
"I don't care who drafted me." said Baylor in Seattle after being told the Lakers had chosen him in the first round. The 6-6 junior from Washington, D.C., said he wanted to get his college degree before thinking about professional ball.
Philadelphia started off the draft session, grabbing off All-America Guy Rodgers of Temple in exercising its territorial rights to any college player within a 50-mile radius of Philadelphia.
Indiana's Archie Dees went to Cincinnati, Peter Brennan of North Carolina and San Francisco's Mike Farmer were claimed by New York, Connie Dierking of Cincinnati went to Syracuse, Dave Gambee of Oregon State was grabbed by St. Louis and 6-9 Ben Swain of Texas Southern got the nod from Boston.
The league, in other action voted to drop the drafting of high school players. It left the status of Wilt (The Stilt) Chamberlain, Kansas star, unchanged Philadelphia drafted Chamberlain several years ago while he was in high school.
Also unchanged is Cincinnati's claim to Jerry Lucas, a Middleton, Ohio, high school star. Lucas reportedly is headed for the University of Cincinnati and the NBA rules that if he picks another team's 50-mile territory Cincinnati's claim will be void.
Source: Associated Press,
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Warriors Draft Wilt Chamberlain Four Years in Advance in NBA
November 28, 1955
Syracuse -- The Philadelphia Warriors of the National Basketball Association have been granted draft rights to schoolboys basketball sensation Wilt (The Stilt) Chamberlain four years in advance, it was disclosed today.
An apparently unprecedented vote by NBA officials on rights to Chamberlain was disclosed today by Joe Lapchick, coach of the New York Knickerbockers, and confirmed by Dan Biasone president of the Syracuse Nationals.
Lapchick called the seven-foot Chamberlain, "The greatest ball player in the game today." He added, "Everybody but my boss (Ned Irish) let him go to Gottlieb."
Ed Gottlieb is president of the Warriors. Lapchick said the Warriors "Already have one of the best groups of young players." He Continued:
"The league created a monster when it let Chamberlain go to Philadelphia. It was a grave error."
Lapchick said he feared that letting Chamberlain go to the Warriors would give the Philadelphia squad a huge advantage over other NBA teams and result in a loss of fan interest in the league.
Lapchick made the disclosure at a luncheon sponsored by the Syracuse Nationals for newspapers and radio men.
Chamberlain scored 2,252 points in three years of basketball for Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. He now is enrolled as a freshman at the University of Kansas, a Big Seven basketball power.
On Nov. 18, he played with the Kansas freshman against the varsity, getting 42 points on what he called an off night. He said, "I just couldn't hit." Besides 16 field goals, he dropped in 10 free throws and snatched 24 rebounds.
"The freshmen beat the Varsity, 81-71. Veteran Kansas coach, Forrest C. (Phog) Allen promptly called Chamberlain, "the greatest player in the world."
Lapchick asked Biasone why the officials had permitted the Warriors to draft Chamberlain in advance. Biasone replied:
"Chamberlain is a resident of Philadelphia, so Gottlieb had a territorial right to him regardless of where he went to college.
"And I think it might be as good for Gottlieb to have him go to Kansas than to be in Philadelphia competing against him at the gate on some college."
Neither Lapchick nor Biasone disclosed when league officials met on the matter. But NBA followers said they couldn't remember any time when a team was permitted to draft a player so far in advance and outside the normal draft regulations.
Source: Associated Press,
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- Written by Matthew Maurer
NBA Selects Isaiah Austin
June 27 2014
New York -- Between the 15th and 16th picks in Thursday night's draft came a very special selection by the NBA.
Commissioner Adam Silver announced at that point that the NBA would let Isaiah Austin fulfill the dream of every young player, making him a ceremonial pick.
Just over a week ago, the sophomore center from Baylor was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the heart. It ended his playing career.
The illness was discovered during a physical for the draft.
"For Commissioner Silver to even invite me here was a tremendous blessing and it just shows how much class that man has," Austin said. "It's really been a tough week for me, and it's been really rough. I've just had a tremendous amount of support from everybody around the world, telling me they're praying for me and everything. I can't thank everybody enough."
Source: Associated Press
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Knicks, Hawks hit by new NBA leader
June 06 1975
San Francisco -- Newly appointed NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien has established himself as a hardline administrator by punishing the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks for their attempts to land a pair of ABA superstars.
In only his fifth day on the job Thursday, the former head of the Democratic Party fined the Hawks $400,000 for illegally signing Julius Erving three years ago and then declined to permit the Knicks to sign 6-foot-8 George McGinnis, who had been drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers but signed a reported $2 million contract with New York.
He also made the Knicks forfeit next year's first-draft choice as punishment.
In the Erving case, an NBA spokesman said the Hawks would have to pay $250,000 to the league and $150,000 to the Milwaukee Bucks, who own the draft rights to the 6-7 Erving, considered possibly the top forward in basketball.
Erving has been playing under a long-term contract with the ABA's New York Nets. The Bucks will receive Atlanta's two second-round choices in the 1976 draft.
O'Brien said of the McGinnis descision that under NBA bylaws, it was the only decision he could make.
"If violations of the rules were permitted," said O'Brien, "then it would be the same as if there were no rules at all. This would, of course, threaten the structure and very existence of the league."
The huge fine against Atlanta might threaten the very existence of the Hawks, although the franchise in the process of being sold to a new owner.
As outgoing President John Wilcox remarked Thursday upon being told he must pay the $400,00 immediately: "I didn't bring my checkbook."
It still is not clear whether the prospective new owners of the Hawks, the family of Simon Selig Jr., will be liable for payment.
"As of this moment, we haven't had a chance to discuss it with our attorneys," said Selig in Atlanta. "I'm not in a position really to make any comment."
McGinnis starred for the Indiana Pacers for the past four seasons. New York did not have the draft rights to him because he left the University of Indian after his sophomore year to play in the ANA. The Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA drafted him two years ago when his class was graduated.
McGinnis has said he wants to play in the NBA for New York but not for Philadelphia. He is expected now to take his case to the courts.
Knicks President Michael Burke said he was "surprised and disappointed" by O'Brien's ruling. He said he "felt the action we took was proper ... and in the interests of the club and the NBA."
O'Brien did give New York a slight break. He said the Knicks could trade or make other arrangements for a first-round choice but they would not have their own.
Source: United Press International,
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NBA Files Appeal in Haywood Case To Stop His Play
March 04, 1971
Chicago -- The National Basketball Association Wednesday disclosed filing of an appeal against the ruling by United States Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas which enabled Spencer Haywood to resume play for the Seattle Supersonics.
NBA Commissioner Walter Kennedy said Supreme Court action on the appeal might be expecterd Friday or no later than next mid-week.
The Owners also granted Buffalo the 26th draft choice in the next draft meeting to compensate the team for its failure to attain Ray Scott, chosen by Buffalo from Baltimore in the league expansion draft. Scott jumped to the ABA and never played for Buffalo.
The decision will give Buffalo three draft picks in the first 26 and will eliminate its third round draft choice.
Source: Associated Press,
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- Written by Matthew Maurer
NBA Draft Starts New Help Plan
May 06, 1965
New York -- San Francisco and New York reap the first benefits of the National basketball Association’s new help-the-poor plan today when the pro league stages its annual player draft.
The two divisional tail-enders the Warriors in the West and the Knicks in the East each will get two of the first four selections. If San Francisco wins the coin toss, it will take Nos. 1 and 3 on the first round and New York Nos. 2 and 4.
Warriors Worst
If the flip goes to New York. It wake 1 and 4-since its record was than San Francisco’s - and the Warriors Nos. 2 and 3.
After San Francisco and New York, teams will pick according to won-lost records, in inverse order of percentage, Detroit is third, followed by Baltimore, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Boston.
Source: Associated Press,
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Chicago Bulls Become 10th Team in NBA
January 28, 1966
Chicago -- The Chicago Bulls, who snorted up $1.6 million to become the National Basketball Association’s 10th member next year, obviously will open as a starless outfit.
The Bulls, scheduled to play in the stockyards-centered International Amphitheatre, must start with a collection of 18 secondary NBA players and the 10th, 13th and 14th picks as their top three choices in the May NBA Draft.
The new Chicago entry formally was certified by the NBA here Thursday.
The Bulls, backed by a five man syndicate headed by Dick Klein former Northwestern University cage star can’t possibly have a shot at such a sure-fire gate attraction as All-America Cassie Russell of Michigan.
Source: Associated Press,
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Bargain Day for Lakers
April 08, 1969
Willie McCarter of Drake, Rick Robertson of Cincinnati and Dick Garrett of Southern Illinois were the Lakers’ selections in the annual NBA player draft’s first two rounds.
Roberson was the Lakers’ bonus pick. He was selected at the conclusion of the first round as the league indemnified Los Angeles for its loss in the Rudy LaRusso transaction two years ago. LaRusso, Now with San Francisco but then with the Lakers was involved in a trade between Los Angeles, Baltimore and Detroit but he refused to report to Detroit.
Source: Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times
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NBA Draft Slated for Monday
March 26,1961
St. Louis – – National Basketball Association club owners gather her Monday for their annual player draft, but pickings are slim indeed.
“This is one of the leanest years I can remember,” said Ben Kerber, owner of the St. Louis Hawks and one of the shrewdest judges of basketball talent in the business.
“We’ve done more scouting this year than ever before and the good pro prospects just aren’t there.”
Chicago the NBA’s ninth and newest franchise, get the first choice and is expected to select Walt Bellamy, Indiana’s fine 6-foot-11 center from New Bern, N.C. After Chicago, the draft order is New York, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, Syracuse, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Boston based on won-lost records during the regular season.
The new club also get the first five picks of the second round plus the last one (No. 23). Chicago draft ninth in succeeding rounds, with the Knickerbockers picking first.
Source: Associated Press
Chicago Picks Walt Bellamy in NBA Draft
March 28,1961
St. Louis – The field of senior college talent chiefly in super-tall players was supposed to be leanest in years at the annual National Basketball Association draft, but most coaches and owners came away smiling.
Indiana’s 6-foot-11 Olympic player, Walt Bellamy, was the No. 1 choice, and St. Bonaventure’s 6-foot-5 Tom Stith, a tremendous offensive player, was the second choice, as expected.
Then the NBA owners started reaching into the services, the amateur ranks and the Eastern League, for some talented players who won’t be under the pressure of their press clippings when they try to crack the NBA next season. Only 12 rookies made it this season.
It was obvious these “sleeper” picks were bringing the smiles Monday. Chicago the NBA’s ninth and newest club, chose Bellamy and was given the first five choices plus the last one in the second round. Coach Jim Pollard seemed pleased over his picks four of them 6-6 or over.
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