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.
| 2021 NBA draft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Date(s) | July 29, 2021 |
| Location | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, New York) |
| Network(s) | |
| Overview | |
| 60 total selections in 2 rounds | |
| League | NBA |
| First selection | Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) |
Draft picks
edit| PG | Point guard | SG | Shooting guard | SF | Small forward | PF | Power forward | C | Center |
| + | Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game |
| # | 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 |
Notable undrafted players
editThese players were not selected in the 2021 NBA draft, but have played at least one game in the NBA.
Trades involving draft picks
editPre-draft trades
editPrior to the draft, the following trades were made and resulted in exchanges of draft picks between teams.
- ^ a b February 6, 2020: Minnesota Timberwolves to Golden State Warriors[3]
- Golden State acquired Andrew Wiggins, a top-3 protected 2021 first-round pick, and a second-round draft pick
- Minnesota acquired D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, and Omari Spellman
- ^ March 25, 2021: Chicago Bulls to Orlando Magic[4]
- Orlando acquired Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., 2021 and 2023 first-round picks
- Chicago acquired Nikola Vučević, and Al-Farouq Aminu
- ^ June 18, 2021: Boston Celtics to Oklahoma City Thunder[6]
- Oklahoma City acquired Kemba Walker, a 2021 first-round pick, and 2025 second-round picks
- Boston acquired Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round pick
- ^ February 19, 2015: Miami Heat to Phoenix Suns (three-team trade with New Orleans Pelicans)[8]
- Phoenix acquired Danny Granger, John Salmons, a 2021 first-round pick, and a 2017 protected first-round pick
- Miami acquired Goran Dragić and Zoran Dragić
- New Orleans acquired Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton and Shawne Williams
- Philadelphia acquired Zhaire Smith and Miami's 2021 first-round pick
- Phoenix acquired Mikal Bridges
- ^ a b February 6, 2019: Philadelphia 76ers to Los Angeles Clippers[10]
- L.A. Clippers acquired Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, Miami's 2021 first-round pick, a protected 2020 first-round pick, 2021 and 2023 second-round picks
- Philadelphia acquired Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanović and Mike Scott
- ^ 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
- ^ January 31, 2019: Dallas Mavericks to New York Knicks[13]
- New York acquired Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, 2021 and 2023 first-round picks
- Dallas acquired Kristaps Porziņģis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, and Trey Burke
- ^ November 22, 2020: Portland Trail Blazers to Houston Rockets[16]
- Houston acquired Trevor Ariza, the draft rights to Isaiah Stewart and a protected 2021 first-round pick
- Portland acquired Robert Covington
- ^ a b March 19, 2021: Milwaukee Bucks to Houston Rockets[17]
- Houston acquired D. J. Augustin, D. J. Wilson, a 2023 first-round pick, and option to swap a 2021 second-round pick with Milwaukee's 2021 first-round pick
- Milwaukee acquired P. J. Tucker, Rodions Kurucs, and a 2022 first-round pick
- ^ 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
- ^ February 20, 2020: Los Angeles Clippers to New York Knicks (three-team trade with Washington Wizards)[21]
- New York acquired Maurice Harkless, the draft rights to Issuf Sanon, a 2020 first-round draft pick, a 2021 second-round pick
- L.A. Clippers acquired Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas
- Washington acquired Jerome Robinson
- ^ January 7, 2017: Cleveland Cavaliers to Atlanta Hawks[24]
- Atlanta acquired Mike Dunleavy Jr., Mo Williams, a 2021 second-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, and cash considerations
- Cleveland acquired Kyle Korver
- New Orleans Pelicans acquired the draft rights to Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Marcos Louzada Silva, 2021 and 2022 second-round picks
- Atlanta acquired Solomon Hill, the draft rights to De'Andre Hunter and Jordan Bone, and a 2023 second round pick
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ February 7, 2019: Toronto Raptors to Brooklyn Nets[27]
- Brooklyn acquired Greg Monroe and a 2021 second-round pick
- Toronto acquired cash considerations
- Detroit acquired Saddiq Bey, Džanan Musa, the draft rights to Jaylen Hands, Rodney McGruder, a 2021 second-round pick, and cash considerations
- Brooklyn acquired Landry Shamet, Bruce Brown, and the draft rights to Reggie Perry
- L.A. Clippers acquired the draft rights to Jay Scrubb; Luke Kennard; Justin Patton; and 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 second-round picks
- ^ a b February 1, 2018: New Orleans Pelicans to Chicago Bulls[30]
- Chicago acquired Ömer Aşık, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson, a 2018 first-round pick, and the option to swap a 2021 second-round pick with New Orleans
- New Orleans Pelicans acquired Nikola Mirotić and a 2018 second-round pick
- ^ February 7, 2018: Charlotte Hornets to New York Knicks[31]
- New York acquired Johnny O'Bryant III, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Charlotte acquired Willy Hernangómez
- Detroit acquired Dennis Smith Jr. and a 2021 second-round pick
- New York acquired Derrick Rose
- ^ July 7, 2016: Washington Wizards to Utah Jazz[33]
- Utah acquired a 2021 second-round pick
- Washington acquired Trey Burke
- Cleveland acquired Alec Burks, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Utah acquired Kyle Korver
- ^ a b 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
- ^ February 7, 2019: Milwaukee Bucks to New Orleans Pelicans (three-team trade with the Detroit Pistons)[36]
- New Orleans acquired Jason Smith, Stanley Johnson, a 2019 second-round pick, two 2020 second-round picks, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Milwaukee acquired Nikola Mirotić
- Detroit acquired Thon Maker
- ^ July 7, 2016: Indiana Pacers to Brooklyn Nets[38]
- Brooklyn acquired the draft rights to Caris LeVert and a 2021 second-round pick
- Indiana acquired Thaddeus Young
- ^ July 17, 2018: Memphis Grizzlies to Sacramento Kings[39]
- Sacramento acquired Ben McLemore, Deyonta Davis, a 2021 second-round pick, and cash considerations
- Memphis acquired Garrett Temple
- Toronto acquired a 2021 second-round pick
- Sacramento acquired Terence Davis
- ^ 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
- Utah acquired 2021 and 2023 second-round picks
- New Orleans acquired Derrick Favors
- Toronto acquired a 2021 second-round pick
- Utah acquired Matt Thomas
- ^ February 18, 2016: Miami Heat to Portland Trail Blazers[44]
- Portland acquired Brian Roberts and a 2021 second-round pick
- Miami acquired cash considerations
- Sacramento acquired a 2019 second-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick
- Portland acquired the draft rights to Gary Trent Jr.
- Atlanta acquired Dewayne Dedmon, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Sacramento acquired Jabari Parker and Alex Len
- ^ July 6, 2019: Atlanta Hawks to Brooklyn Nets[47]
- Brooklyn acquired Taurean Prince and a 2021 second-round pick
- Atlanta acquired the draft rights to Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Allen Crabbe, and a protected 2020 first-round pick
- ^ 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
- ^ February 4, 2019: Portland Trail Blazers to Cleveland Cavaliers[49]
- Cleveland acquired Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin IV, 2021 and 2023 second-round picks
- Portland acquired Rodney Hood
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- ^ February 6, 2019: Los Angeles Lakers to Detroit Pistons[54]
- Detroit acquired Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and a 2021 second-round pick
- L.A. Lakers acquired Reggie Bullock
- 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
- Sacramento acquired a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations
- Houston acquired the draft rights to Kenyon Martin Jr.
- Detroit acquired Cory Joseph, 2021and 2024 second-round picks
- Sacramento acquired Delon Wright
- ^ March 25, 2021: Dallas Mavericks to New Orleans Pelicans[58]
- New Orleans acquired James Johnson, Wesley Iwundu, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Dallas acquired JJ Redick and Nicolò Melli
- Philadelphia acquired No. 53 pick
- New Orleans acquired cash considerations
- ^ February 7, 2019: Cleveland Cavaliers to Houston Rockets (three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings[61]
- Houston acquired Wade Baldwin IV, Iman Shumpert, Nik Stauskas, a 2020 second-round pick swap (with Cleveland), and a 2021 second-round pick
- Cleveland acquired Marquese Chriss, Brandon Knight, a condition 2019 first-round pick, and a 2022 second-round pick
- Sacramento acquired Alec Burks
- Pacers acquired Wade Baldwin IV, Nik Stauskas, the draft rights to Maarty Leunen, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Houston acquired cash considerations
- ^ July 6, 2018: Denver Nuggets to Philadelphia 76ers[62]
- Philadelphia acquired Wilson Chandler and a 2021 second round pick
- Denver acquired cash considerations
- Golden State acquired 2020, 2021, and 2022 second-round picks
- Philadelphia acquired Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III
- ^ June 21, 2018: Los Angeles Clippers to Charlotte Hornets[64]
- Charlotte acquired the draft rights to Miles Bridges, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Los Angeles acquired the draft rights to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- ^ July 6, 2018: Brooklyn Nets to Charlotte Hornets[65]
- Charlotte acquired Timofey Mozgov, the draft rights to Hamidou Diallo, and a 2021 second-round pick
- Brooklyn acquired Dwight Howard
- ^ March 25, 2021: Philadelphia 76ers to New York Knicks (three-team trade with Oklahoma City Thunder)[66]
- New York acquired Terrance Ferguson, Vincent Poirier, Emir Preldžič, a 2021 second-round pick, and Miami's protected 2024 second-round pick
- Philadelphia acquired George Hill, Ignas Brazdeikis
- Oklahoma City acquired Austin Rivers, Tony Bradley, and Philadelphia's 2025 and 2026 second-round picks
- ^ July 20, 2018: Phoenix Suns to Brooklyn Nets[67]
- Brooklyn acquired Jared Dudley and a 2021 second-round pick
- Phoenix acquired Darrell Arthur
- ^ 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
editDraft-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]
- ^ a b c d August 7, 2021: New Orleans Pelicans to Memphis Grizzlies (three-team trade with Charlotte)[5]
- Memphis acquired Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, a protected 2022 first round draft pick, the draft rights to Ziaire Williams, and the draft rights to Jared Butler
- New Orleans acquired Jonas Valančiūnas, Devonte' Graham, the draft rights to Trey Murphy III and the draft rights to Brandon Boston
- Charlotte acquired Wesley Iwundu, the draft rights to Tyler Harvey, and a protected 2022 first round pick
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ a b 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
- ^ a b August 6, 2021: Los Angeles Lakers to Indiana Pacers (five-team trade with Washington, San Antonio, and Brooklyn)[15]
- L.A. Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook and 2023, 2024, and 2028 second-round picks
- Indiana acquired the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson
- Washington acquired Spencer Dinwiddie, Aaron Holiday, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, the draft rights to forward Isaiah Todd, and cash considerations from Indiana
- San Antonio acquired a 2022 second round draft pick and Chandler Hutchison
- Brooklyn acquired the draft rights to Nikola Milutinov, a 2024 second round pick, and the option to swap a 2025 second round pick with Washington
- ^ August 6, 2021: Phoenix Suns to Brooklyn Nets[18]
- Brooklyn acquired the draft rights to Day'Ron Sharpe and Jevon Carter
- Phoenix acquired Landry Shamet
- ^ a b 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
- ^ a b c July 29, 2021: Milwaukee Bucks to Indiana Pacers[20]
- Milwaukee acquired the draft rights to Sandro Mamukelashvili and Georgios Kalaitzakis, and two future second round draft picks
- Indiana acquired the draft rights to Isaiah Todd
- ^ a b c July 29, 2021: New York Knicks to Oklahoma City Thunder[22]
- Oklahoma City acquired the draft rights to Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
- New York acquired the draft rights to Rokas Jokubaitis and Miles McBride
- ^ 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
- ^ a b August 6, 2021: Detroit Pistons to Charlotte Hornets[29]
- Charlotte acquired the draft rights to JT Thor and Mason Plumlee
- Detroit acquired the draft rights to Balša Koprivica
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
Combine
editPrior 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]
Draft lottery
edit| 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 |
| Team | 2020–21 record |
Lottery chances |
Lottery probabilities | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | |||
| Houston Rockets | 17–55 | 140 | 14.0% | 13.4% | 12.7% | 11.9% | 47.9% | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Detroit Pistons | 20–52 | 140 | 14.0% | 13.4% | 12.7% | 11.9% | 27.8% | 20.1% | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Orlando Magic | 21–51 | 140 | 14.0% | 13.4% | 12.7% | 11.9% | 14.8% | 26.0% | 7.1% | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 22–50 | 115 | 11.5% | 11.4% | 11.2% | 11.0% | 7.4% | 27.1% | 18.0% | 2.4% | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 22–50 | 115 | 11.5% | 11.4% | 11.2% | 11.0% | 2.0% | 18.2% | 25.5% | 8.6% | 0.6% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Minnesota Timberwolves[a] | 23–49 | 90 | 9.0% | 9.2% | 9.4% | 9.6% | - | 8.6% | 29.7% | 20.6% | 3.4% | 0.2% | - | - | - | - |
| Toronto Raptors | 27–45 | 75 | 7.5% | 7.8% | 8.1% | 8.5% | - | - | 19.8% | 33.9% | 13.0% | 1.4% | <0.1% | - | - | - |
| Chicago Bulls[b] | 31–41 | 45 | 4.5% | 4.8% | 5.2% | 5.7% | - | - | - | 34.5% | 36.2% | 8.5% | 0.5% | <0.1% | - | - |
| Sacramento Kings | 31–41 | 45 | 4.5% | 4.8% | 5.2% | 5.7% | - | - | - | - | 46.4% | 29.4% | 3.9% | 0.1% | <0.1% | - |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 31–41 | 45 | 4.5% | 4.8% | 5.2% | 5.7% | - | - | - | - | - | 60.6% | 17.9% | 1.2% | <0.1% | <0.1% |
| Charlotte Hornets | 33–39 | 18 | 1.8% | 2.0% | 2.2% | 2.5% | - | - | - | - | - | - | 77.6% | 13.4% | 0.4% | <0.1% |
| San Antonio Spurs | 33–39 | 17 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 2.1% | 2.4% | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 85.2% | 6.6% | 0.1% |
| Indiana Pacers | 34–38 | 10 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.4% | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 92.9% | 2.3% |
| Golden State Warriors | 39–33 | 5 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.7% | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 97.6% |
Notes:
Eligibility and entrants
editThe 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
editPlayers 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
editTerrence 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]
Santi Aldama – F, Loyola (MD) (sophomore)
Joël Ayayi – G, Gonzaga (redshirt junior)
Dalano Banton – G, Nebraska (redshirt sophomore)
Scottie Barnes – F, Florida State (freshman)
Charles Bassey – C, Western Kentucky (junior)
Giorgi Bezhanishvili – F, Illinois (junior)
Kai Jones – F, Texas (sophomore)
Balša Koprivica – C, Florida State (sophomore)
Joel Ntambwe – F, Texas Tech (redshirt sophomore)
Neemias Queta – C, Utah State (junior)
Franz Wagner – F, Michigan (sophomore)
College seniors
edit"Redshirt" refers to players who were redshirt seniors in the 2020–21 season. "Graduate" refers to players who were graduate transfers in 2020–21.
Manny Camper – G/F, Siena
Marek Dolezaj – F, Syracuse
Chris Duarte – G, Oregon
Gorjok Gak – C, California Baptist
Matt Haarms – C, BYU (graduate)
Asbjørn Midtgaard – C, Grand Canyon
International players
editInternational 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]
Vrenz Bleijenbergh – F, Antwerp Giants (Belgium)
Biram Faye – C, Bàsquet Girona (Spain)
Rokas Jokubaitis – G, Žalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Alperen Şengün – C, Beşiktaş Icrypex (Turkey)
Automatically eligible entrants
editPlayers 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.
| Player | Team | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide 36ers (Australia) | Left Hawaii in 2020; playing professionally since the 2020–21 season | [85] | |
| Mega Basket (Serbia) | Left Gonzaga in 2020; playing professionally since the 2020–21 season | [86] | |
| The Hawks (Australia) | Left Stanford in 2020; playing professionally since the 2020–21 season | [87] |
Invited attendees
editAfter 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]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Pons was born in Haiti and raised in France. He plays for the France national basketball team.
References
edit- ^ "NBA Draft Presented By State Farm To Take Place On July 29". NBA.com. March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ "Detroit Pistons tab Cade Cunningham with No 1 overall pick in NBA draft". The Guardian. July 30, 2021. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Warriors trade D'Angelo Russell to Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins, picks". National Basketball Association. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "Orlando Magic trade Nikola Vucevic to Chicago Bulls in four-player deal, get two first-round picks". ESPN. March 25, 2021. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "Grizzlies acquire Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, draft rights to Ziaire Williams and two draft picks in three-team trade with Pelicans and HorNets". NBA. July 29, 2021. Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
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