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2021 NBA draft

75th edition of the draft From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2021 NBA draft
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The 2021 NBA draft, the 75th edition of the National Basketball Association's annual draft, was held on July 29, 2021, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The NBA draft returned to Brooklyn after the previous year's draft was held through videoconferencing at ESPN Studios in Bristol, Connecticut due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the first overall pick, the Detroit Pistons selected Cade Cunningham.[2] The NBA used a "ceremonial pick" for the late Terrence Clarke, between the 14th and 15th pick of the draft.

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Draft picks

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Cade Cunningham was selected 1st overall by the Detroit Pistons.
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Jalen Green (NBA G League Ignite) was selected 2nd overall by the Houston Rockets.
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Evan Mobley was selected 3rd overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers and voted NBA Defensive Player of the Year .
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Scottie Barnes was selected 4th overall by the Toronto Raptors and voted the Rookie of the Year.
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Josh Giddey was selected 6th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Jonathan Kuminga was selected 7th overall by the Golden State Warriors.
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Franz Wagner was selected 8th overall by the Orlando Magic.
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Corey Kispert was selected 15th overall by the Washington Wizards.
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Alperen Şengün was selected 16th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder (traded to the Houston Rockets).
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Cam Thomas was selected 27th overall by the Brooklyn Nets.
PGPoint guard SGShooting guard SFSmall forward PFPower forward CCenter
* Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game and All-NBA Team
+ Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game
x Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-NBA Team
# Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular season or playoff game
~ Denotes player who has been selected as Rookie of the Year
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Notable undrafted players

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Further information: List of undrafted NBA players

These players were not selected in the 2021 NBA draft, but have played at least one game in the NBA.

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Trades involving draft picks

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Pre-draft trades

Prior to the draft, the following trades were made and resulted in exchanges of draft picks between teams.

  1. February 6, 2020: Minnesota Timberwolves to Golden State Warriors[3]
  2. March 25, 2021: Chicago Bulls to Orlando Magic[4]
  3. June 18, 2021: Boston Celtics to Oklahoma City Thunder[6]
  4. February 19, 2015: Miami Heat to Phoenix Suns (three-team trade with New Orleans Pelicans)[8] June 21, 2018: Phoenix Suns to Philadelphia 76ers[9]
  5. February 6, 2019: Philadelphia 76ers to Los Angeles Clippers[10]
  6. July 10, 2019: Los Angeles Clippers to Oklahoma City Thunder[11]
    • Oklahoma City acquired Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Miami's 2021 first-round pick, a 2022 first-round pick, Miami's 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 first round pick, a 2026 first round pick, and Thunder options to swap 2023 and 2025 first round picks with Clippers
    • L.A. Clippers acquired Paul George
  7. January 31, 2019: Dallas Mavericks to New York Knicks[13]
  8. November 22, 2020: Portland Trail Blazers to Houston Rockets[16]
  9. March 19, 2021: Milwaukee Bucks to Houston Rockets[17]
  10. June 21, 2018: Detroit Pistons to Philadelphia 76ers[21]
    • Philadelphia acquired 2021 and 2023 second-round picks
    • Detroit acquired the draft rights to Khyri Thomas
  11. February 20, 2020: Los Angeles Clippers to New York Knicks (three-team trade with Washington Wizards)[21]
  12. January 7, 2017: Cleveland Cavaliers to Atlanta Hawks[24] July 6, 2019: Atlanta Hawks to New Orleans Pelicans[25]
  13. November 11, 2020: Golden State Warriors to Oklahoma City Thunder[26]
    • Oklahoma City acquired two 2021 second-round picks
    • Golden State acquired Kelly Oubre Jr.
  14. February 7, 2019: Toronto Raptors to Brooklyn Nets[27]
    • Brooklyn acquired Greg Monroe and a 2021 second-round pick
    • Toronto acquired cash considerations
    November 19, 2020: Brooklyn Nets to Detroit Pistons (three-team trade with Los Angeles Clippers)[28]
  15. February 1, 2018: New Orleans Pelicans to Chicago Bulls[30]
  16. February 7, 2018: Charlotte Hornets to New York Knicks[31] February 8, 2021: New York Knicks to Detroit Pistons.[32]
  17. July 7, 2016: Washington Wizards to Utah Jazz[33]
    • Utah acquired a 2021 second-round pick
    • Washington acquired Trey Burke
    November 29, 2018: Utah Jazz to Cleveland Cavaliers[34]
    • Cleveland acquired Alec Burks, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick
    • Utah acquired Kyle Korver
  18. December 7, 2018: Cleveland Cavaliers to Milwaukee Bucks (three-team trade with the Washington Wizards)[35]
    • Cleveland acquired Matthew Dellavedova, John Henson, 2021 and 2022 second-round picks, and a conditional 2022 first-round pick
    • Milwaukee acquired George Hill, Jason Smith, a 2020 second-round pick, Washington's 2021 second-round pick, and cash considerations
    • Washington acquired Sam Dekker and a conditional 2020 second-round pick
  19. February 7, 2019: Milwaukee Bucks to New Orleans Pelicans (three-team trade with the Detroit Pistons)[36]
  20. July 7, 2016: Indiana Pacers to Brooklyn Nets[38]
  21. July 17, 2018: Memphis Grizzlies to Sacramento Kings[39] March 25, 2021: Sacramento Kings to Toronto Raptors[40]
    • Toronto acquired a 2021 second-round pick
    • Sacramento acquired Terence Davis
  22. June 20, 2019: Golden State Warriors to New Orleans Pelicans[41]
    • New Orleans acquired 2021 and 2023 second-round picks
    • Golden State acquired the draft rights to Alen Smailagić
    July 7, 2019: New Orleans Pelicans to Utah Jazz[42]
    • Utah acquired 2021 and 2023 second-round picks
    • New Orleans acquired Derrick Favors
    March 25, 2021: Utah Jazz to Toronto Raptors[43]
    • Toronto acquired a 2021 second-round pick
    • Utah acquired Matt Thomas
  23. February 18, 2016: Miami Heat to Portland Trail Blazers[44]
    • Portland acquired Brian Roberts and a 2021 second-round pick
    • Miami acquired cash considerations
    June 21, 2018: Portland Trail Blazers to Sacramento Kings[45]
    • Sacramento acquired a 2019 second-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick
    • Portland acquired the draft rights to Gary Trent Jr.
    February 6, 2020: Sacramento Kings to Atlanta Hawks[46]
  24. July 6, 2019: Atlanta Hawks to Brooklyn Nets[47]
  25. June 26, 2015: New York Knicks to Philadelphia 76ers[48]
    • Philadelphia acquired a 2020 second-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, and cash considerations
    • New York acquired the draft rights to Willy Hernangómez
  26. February 4, 2019: Portland Trail Blazers to Cleveland Cavaliers[49] June 26, 2019: Cleveland Cavaliers to Detroit Pistons[50]
    • Detroit acquired a 2020 second-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, a conditional 2024 second-round pick, and cash considerations
    • Cleveland acquired the draft rights to Kevin Porter Jr.
    June 26, 2019: Detroit Pistons to Dallas Mavericks[51]
    • Dallas acquired the draft rights to Isaiah Roby, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick
    • Detroit acquired the draft rights to Deividas Sirvydis
    July 8, 2019: Dallas Mavericks to Memphis Grizzlies[52]
    • Memphis acquired the draft rights to Satnam Singh, a 2021 second-round pick, and a Least Favorable 2023 second-round pick
    • Dallas acquired Delon Wright
  27. February 6, 2019: Los Angeles Lakers to Detroit Pistons[54] November 24, 2020: Detroit Pistons to Houston Rockets[55]
    • Houston acquired Christian Wood, a conditional first-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick
    • Detroit acquired Trevor Ariza, the draft rights to Isaiah Stewart, a 2027 second-round pick, and cash considerations
    November 25, 2020: Houston Rockets to Sacramento Kings[56]
    • Sacramento acquired a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations
    • Houston acquired the draft rights to Kenyon Martin Jr.
    March 25, 2021: Sacramento Kings to Detroit Pistons[57]
  28. March 25, 2021: Dallas Mavericks to New Orleans Pelicans[58] July 29, 2021: New Orleans Pelicans to Philadelphia 76ers[59][60]
    • Philadelphia acquired No. 53 pick
    • New Orleans acquired cash considerations
  29. February 7, 2019: Cleveland Cavaliers to Houston Rockets (three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings[61] February 7, 2019: Houston Rockets to Indiana Pacers[61]
  30. July 6, 2018: Denver Nuggets to Philadelphia 76ers[62]
    • Philadelphia acquired Wilson Chandler and a 2021 second round pick
    • Denver acquired cash considerations
    February 6, 2020: Philadelphia 76ers to Golden State Warriors[63]
  31. June 21, 2018: Los Angeles Clippers to Charlotte Hornets[64]
  32. July 6, 2018: Brooklyn Nets to Charlotte Hornets[65]
  33. March 25, 2021: Philadelphia 76ers to New York Knicks (three-team trade with Oklahoma City Thunder)[66]
  34. July 20, 2018: Phoenix Suns to Brooklyn Nets[67]
  35. June 21, 2019: Utah Jazz to Indiana Pacers[68]
    • Indiana acquired a 2021 second-round pick
    • Utah acquired the draft rights to Jarrell Brantley

Draft-night trades

Draft-night trades were made after the draft began. These trades are usually not confirmed until the next day or after free agency officially begins.[69]

  1. August 7, 2021: New Orleans Pelicans to Memphis Grizzlies (three-team trade with Charlotte)[5]
  2. July 29, 2021: Oklahoma City Thunder to Houston Rockets[7]
    • Houston acquired the draft rights to Alperen Şengün
    • Oklahoma City acquired two future first-round picks
  3. July 29, 2021: New York Knicks to Charlotte Hornets[12]
    • Charlotte acquired the draft rights to Kai Jones
    • New York acquired a future first-round pick
  4. July 29, 2021: New York Knicks to L.A. Clippers[14]
    • L.A. Clippers acquired the draft rights to Keon Johnson
    • New York acquired the draft rights to Quentin Grimes and a future second-round pick
  5. August 6, 2021: Los Angeles Lakers to Indiana Pacers (five-team trade with Washington, San Antonio, and Brooklyn)[15]
  6. August 6, 2021: Phoenix Suns to Brooklyn Nets[18]
  7. August 7, 2021: Utah Jazz to Memphis Grizzlies[19]
    • Memphis acquired the draft rights to Santi Aldama
    • Utah acquired the draft rights to Jared Butler and two future second round selections
  8. July 29, 2021: Milwaukee Bucks to Indiana Pacers[20]
  9. July 29, 2021: New York Knicks to Oklahoma City Thunder[22]
  10. July 29, 2021: Orlando Magic to Los Angeles Clippers[23]
    • L.A. Clippers acquired the draft rights to Jason Preston
    • Orlando acquired Detroit's 2026 second-round pick and cash considerations
  11. August 6, 2021: Detroit Pistons to Charlotte Hornets[29]
  12. July 29, 2021: New Orleans Pelicans to Portland Trail Blazers[37]
    • Portland acquired the draft rights to Greg Brown III
    • New Orleans acquired a future second-round pick and cash considerations
  13. August 7, 2021: New Orleans Pelicans to Los Angeles Clippers[53]
    • L.A. Clippers acquired the draft rights to Brandon Boston Jr.
    • New Orleans acquired a 2022 second round selection and cash considerations
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Combine

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Prior to the NBA Draft Combine, the 2021 NBA G League Elite Camp, which took place on June 19–21 at the Wintrust Arena and Marriott Marquis in Chicago, provided another chance for players not originally invited to the combine to impress scouts. The best performers from this camp were given invites to the main combine.[70]

The NBA Draft Combine was held on June 21–27 at the same site sponsored by Microsoft. A total of 69 players attended the NBA Draft Combine 2021, with these players undergoing a series of interviews, five-on-five games, drills, and measurements.[71] Lottery-projected pick Keon Johnson broke the combine's vertical leap record of 45.5 in (1.16 m), set by Kenny Gregory in 2001, with a vertical leap of 48 in (1.2 m).[72] The combine also featured some recent graduates of the inaugural NBA G League Ignite team, which is a developmental basketball program meant to provide prospects with a paid alternative to playing NCAA college basketball. The success of these players, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, and Isaiah Todd, may pave the way for more top prospects to participate in the G League system pre-draft.

Projected top picks who decided not to attend the NBA Draft Combine include potential No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham and likely top-four pick Jalen Suggs.[73] Numerous other potential prospects, especially those playing overseas, also decided to skip the Combine.[73]

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Draft lottery

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Quick Facts External videos ...

The NBA draft lottery was held on June 22. It was also televised nationally on ESPN.[74][75]

Denotes the actual lottery result
More information Team, 2020–21record ...

Notes:

  1. This pick was conveyed to Golden State after it fell outside its protected range.
  2. This pick was conveyed to Orlando after it fell outside its protected range.
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Eligibility and entrants

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Main article: Eligibility for the NBA draft

The draft is conducted under the eligibility rules established in the league's 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its players' union, with special modifications agreed to by both parties due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous CBA that ended the 2011 lockout instituted no immediate changes to the draft. but called for a committee of owners and players to discuss further charges.

  • All drafted players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. In term of dates, players who were eligible for the 2021 NBA draft must have been born on or before December 31, 2002.
    • This draft could have possibly been the last in which high school players of any nationality are ineligible for pick after graduation as the two associations sought at first to lower the minimum age back to 18 and end the need to wait one year after their high school class graduated, also called the "one and done" requirement, ahead of next year's edition, as discussed in 2019.[76] If approved, the current CBA may have to be amended and the amendment ratified. However, the ineligibility for the draft shortly after high school remained in place, as reported in 2020, unless there were further discussions about its repeal.[77]
  • Since the 2016 draft, the following rules are, as implemented by the NCAA Division I council for that division:[78]
    • Declaration for the draft no longer results in automatic loss of college eligibility. As long as a player does not sign a contract with a professional team outside the NBA, or sign with an agent, he retains college eligibility as long as he makes a timely withdrawal from the draft.
    • NCAA players now have 10 days after the end of the NBA Draft Combine to withdraw from the draft. Since the combine is normally held in mid-May, the current deadline is about five weeks after the previous mid-April deadline.
    • NCAA players may participate in the draft combine, and are allowed to attend one tryout per year with each NBA team without losing college eligibility.
    • NCAA players may now enter and withdraw from the draft up to two times without loss of eligibility. Previously, the NCAA treated a second declaration of draft eligibility as a permanent loss of college eligibility.

The NBA announced on February 26, 2021, that for this draft only, all college players who wished to enter the draft, regardless of class, had to formally declare eligibility. In October 2020, COVID-19 led the NCAA to declare that the 2020–21 season would not be counted against the college eligibility of any basketball player. The exact language of the CBA with regard to automatic eligibility of college seniors is "The player has graduated from a four-year college or university in the United States, and has no remaining intercollegiate basketball eligibility." Due to the NCAA ruling, every college senior in the 2020–21 season had remaining eligibility. The league was required to consult with the players' union and the NCAA to determine whether it would require seniors to opt out of the draft (which was implemented by the NFL for its 2021 draft, affected by a similar NCAA ruling for football) or require opt-ins, with the latter option being chosen.[79]

Early entrants

Players who were not automatically eligible had to declare their eligibility for the draft by notifying the NBA offices in writing no later than at least 60 days before the event. For the 2021 draft, the date fell on May 30. Under the CBA a player may withdraw his name from consideration from the draft at any time before the final declaration deadline, which usually falls 10 days before the draft at 5:00 pm EDT (2100 UTC). Under current NCAA rules, players usually have until 10 days after the draft combine to withdraw from the draft and retain college eligibility. They must have withdrawn on or before July 7, 22 days prior to this draft.

A player who has hired an agent retains his remaining college eligibility regardless of whether he is drafted after an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. Players who declare for the NBA draft and are not selected have the opportunity to return to their school for at least another year only after terminating all agreements with their agents, who must have been certified no later than August 1, 2020.[80]

The NBA released its official list of early entrants on June 2, 2021, consisting of 296 players from college and other educational institutions and 57 international players.[81] The current version of the list found in this article omits players who withdrew from the draft after June 2.

College underclassmen

Terrence Clarke, a freshman guard from Kentucky, declared for the draft, but died on April 22, three months before it.[82] At the draft, the NBA honored him with an honorary selection.[83]

College seniors

"Redshirt" refers to players who were redshirt seniors in the 2020–21 season. "Graduate" refers to players who were graduate transfers in 2020–21.

International players

International players that declared for this draft and did not previously declare in another prior draft could drop out 10 days before the event, on July 19. A total of 51 international players withdrew their names from consideration for the draft, with only the following eight prospects remaining after the international deadline.[84]

Automatically eligible entrants

Players who do not meet the criteria for "international" players are automatically eligible if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • They have no remaining college eligibility.
  • If they graduated from high school in the U.S., but did not enroll in a U.S. college or university, four years have passed since their high school class graduated.
  • They have signed a contract with a professional basketball team not in the NBA, anywhere in the world, and have played under the contract.

As noted above, the NCAA's COVID-19 eligibility waiver for 2020–21 resulted in all college seniors having remaining eligibility, leading to the NBA and its players' union agreeing that seniors would have to declare for the 2021 draft.

Players who meet the criteria for "international" players are automatically eligible if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • They are at least 22 years old during the calendar year of the draft. In term of dates players born on or before December 31, 1999, were automatically eligible for the 2021 draft.
  • They have signed a contract with a professional basketball team not in the NBA within the United States, and have played under that contract.
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Invited attendees

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After previously not having a proper "green room" invitation process for the 2020 NBA draft due to the COVID-19 pandemic (with players instead being conducted interviews and showings through videotelephony), the NBA allowed for invites to attend the NBA draft event once again this season. The NBA usually annually invites players to sit in the so-called "green room", a special room set aside at the draft site for the invited players plus their families and agents, with 2020 being considered an exception due to the unprecedented nature of COVID-19 impacting the world at the time. This year, a reported 20 players were invited (listed alphabetically).[88]

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See also


Notes

  1. [n 1]
    Nationality indicates the player's national team or representative nationality. If a player has not competed at the international level, then the nationality indicates the national team which the player is eligible to represent according to FIBA rules.
  2. [n 2]
    Duarte was born in the Dominican Republic to a Canadian father. He holds dual citizenship but has played for the Dominican Republic national basketball team.
  3. [n 3]
    Mamukelashvili was born in the United States to Georgian parents and raised in Georgia. He holds dual citizenship but plays for the Georgia national basketball team.
  4. [n 4]
    Jones was born and raised in the United States. He gained South Sudanese citizenship by naturalization and plays for the South Sudan national basketball team.
  5. [n 5]
    Pons was born in Haiti and raised in France. He plays for the France national basketball team.

References

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