The1974 NBA draft was the 28th annualdraft of theNational Basketball Association (NBA), and was held on May 28, 1974, before the1974–75 season.[1] In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S.college basketball players and othereligible players, including international players. The first two picks in the draft belonged to the teams that finished last in each conference, with the order determined by acoin flip.[2] ThePortland Trail Blazers won the coin flip on March 27 and were awarded thefirst overall pick, while thePhiladelphia 76ers were awarded the second pick.[3][4] The remaining first-round picks and the subsequent rounds were assigned to teams in reverse order of their win–loss record in theprevious season.
Prior to the draft, theCapital Bullets were renamed theWashington Bullets.[5] The expansionNew Orleans Jazz took part in their first NBA draft and were assigned the tenth pick in each round. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection. If a player left college early, he would not be eligible for selection until his college class graduated. Before the draft, 20 collegeunderclassmen were declared eligible for selection under the "hardship" rule.[6] These players had applied and gave evidence of financial hardship to the league, which granted them the right to start earning their living by starting their professional careers earlier.[7] The draft consisted of 10 rounds comprising the selection of 178 players.
Jamaal Wilkes won four NBA championships, one with theGolden State Warriors and three with theLos Angeles Lakers, and was selected to three All-Star Games.[16]Maurice Lucas, the 14th pick, was selected to one All-NBA Team and four All-Star Games. He also won the NBA championship in 1977 with the Trail Blazers.[17]Truck Robinson, the 22nd pick, andPhil Smith, the 29th pick, were selected to one All-NBA Team and two All-Star Games each.[18][19]Bobby Jones, the 5th pick, initially opted to play in the ABA. He played two seasons in the ABA before finally joined the NBA with theDenver Nuggets whenboth leagues merged. His achievements include an NBA championship with the 76ers in1983, one All-ABA Team selection, one ABA All-Star Game selection, four NBA All-Star Game selections, nineNBA All-Defensive Team selections and one Sixth Man of The Year Award.[20] Five other players from this draft, 6th pickScott Wedman, 8th pickCampy Russell, 12th pickBrian Winters, 21st pickBilly Knight and 25th pickJohn Drew, were also selected to at least one All-Star Game.[21][22][23][24][25] Two players drafted went on to have coaching careers in the NBA: Brian Winters and 45th pickKim Hughes.[26][27]
a 12 On the draft-day, theSeattle SuperSonics acquired a first-round pick from theCleveland Cavaliers in exchange forDick Snyder and a first-round pick.[30] The Sonics used the pick to draft Tommy Burleson. The Cavaliers used the pick to draft Campy Russell.
c On the draft-day, theChicago Bulls acquired a first-round pick from theNew York Knicks in exchange forHoward Porter and a 1975 second-round pick.[32] The Bulls used the pick to draft Maurice Lucas.
d On August 31, 1972, theLos Angeles Lakers acquired a second-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange forJim Cleamons.[33] The Lakers used the pick to draft Billy Knight.
e On August 23, 1973, theWashington Bullets (as the Capital Bullets) acquired a second-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange forStan Love.[34] Previously, the Lakers acquired the pick on September 19, 1972, from thePhoenix Suns in exchange forPaul Stovall.[35] The Bullets used the pick to draft Truck Robinson.
f On September 10, 1973, the Chicago Bulls acquiredJohn Hummer and a second-round pick from theBuffalo Braves in exchange forGar Heard,Kevin Kunnert and a 1975 second-round pick.[36] The Bulls used the pick to draft Leon Benbow.
g On October 30, 1973, the Phoenix Suns acquiredKeith Erickson and a second-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange forConnie Hawkins.[37] The Suns used the pick to draft Fred Saunders.
h On October 14, 1973, thePortland Trail Blazers acquired a second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange forRick Adelman.[38] The Blazers used the pick to draft Phil Lumpkin.
i On September 11, 1972, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a second-round pick from thePhiladelphia 76ers as compensation for the signing ofGary Gregor as a free agent.[39] Previously, the 76ers acquired the pick and future consideration (the 76ers acquiredJohn Block on July 28, 1972) on December 13, 1971, from theMilwaukee Bucks in exchange forWali Jones.[35] The Blazers used the pick to draft Rubin Collins.
j On October 24, 1972, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired a third-round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange forCharlie Davis.[40] The Cavaliers used the pick to draft Foots Walker.
k On January 26, 1973, the Philadelphia 76ers acquiredTom Van Arsdale and a third-round pick from theKansas City-Omaha Kings in exchange for John Block.[41] The 76ers used the pick to draft Harvey Catchings.
l On October 9, 1973, the Phoenix Suns acquired 1974 and 1975 third-round picks from the Washington Bullets (as the Capital Bullets) in exchange forWalt Wesley.[42] The Suns used the pick to draft Earl Williams.
^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 toFIBA rules.
^Even though John Shumate was a senior, he had one extra year of college eligibility remaining after he missed his sophomore year due to an illness. However, he decided to pass up his final year to enter the draft.[28]
^Keith Wilkes changed his name into Jamaal Abdul-Lateef prior to the start of the season. However, he retained his surname throughout his NBA career and is commonly known as Jamaal Wilkes.[16]
Gary Brokaw – G,Notre Dame (junior)
