1987 NBA draft
The 1987 NBA draft was the 40th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), conducted on June 22, 1987, at the Felt Forum in New York City, with a total of 161 selections across seven rounds.[1] The San Antonio Spurs secured the No. 1 overall pick via the draft lottery and chose center David Robinson from the United States Naval Academy, a dominant college player whose selection marked the beginning of a transformative era for the franchise despite his delayed entry due to military service.[2] This draft class is widely regarded as one of the strongest of the 1980s, yielding multiple Hall of Famers and key contributors to championship teams, including forward Scottie Pippen (selected fifth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics and immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls; 10x All-Defensive), guard Reggie Miller (11th overall by the Indiana Pacers), center David Robinson (1st overall by the San Antonio Spurs; 8x All-Defensive and Defensive Player of the Year), forward Horace Grant (10th overall by the Chicago Bulls; 4x All-Defensive), and forward Derrick McKey (9th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics; 2x All-Defensive).[3][4][1][5][6] Subsequent first-round selections highlighted the depth of the talent pool, with the Phoenix Suns taking forward Armen Gilliam second overall, the New Jersey Nets selecting guard Dennis Hopson third, and the Los Angeles Clippers picking forward Reggie Williams fourth.[1] Other standout picks included guard Kenny Smith (sixth overall by the Detroit Pistons), guard Kevin Johnson (seventh overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, later traded to the Phoenix Suns), forward Horace Grant (10th by the Chicago Bulls), point guard Muggsy Bogues (12th by the Washington Bullets), the shortest player ever to play in the NBA, and point guard Mark Jackson (18th overall by the New York Knicks), the 1988 NBA Rookie of the Year and the first non-lottery pick to win the award since the lottery began in 1985—a feat not repeated until Malcolm Brogdon in 2017—after averaging 13.6 points and a league-leading 10.6 assists per game in all 82 games.[7][8][1][9] Notably, the Bulls acquired both Pippen and Grant through draft-day maneuvers, forming the foundational pieces alongside Michael Jordan for their six championships in the 1990s.[10] Beyond the first round, the draft produced additional impact players such as Lithuanian forward Šarūnas Marčiulionis (127th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the sixth round), who helped pioneer the influx of international talent.[11] Of the 161 draftees, only 55 ultimately appeared in an NBA game, but the class's enduring legacy stems from its star power: Robinson (inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009), Pippen (2010), and Miller (2012) combined for 22 All-Star appearances and multiple titles, underscoring the draft's role in shaping the league's competitive landscape during the late 1980s and 1990s.[1][12]Overview and Background
Historical Context
The NBA draft format underwent significant changes following the introduction of the lottery system in 1985, designed to discourage intentional tanking by non-playoff teams and foster greater parity across the league.[13] Prior to this, draft order was determined solely by reverse finishing records, which incentivized poor performance to secure top picks; the lottery assigned odds inversely proportional to a team's record, giving worse teams higher but not guaranteed chances at the first selection.[14] By the 1987 draft, in its third year under this system, the lottery had become a cornerstone of the process, influencing strategic decisions for rebuilding franchises while maintaining competitive integrity.[15] The 1986-87 NBA season provided a dynamic backdrop for the upcoming draft, marked by the Los Angeles Lakers' successful defense of their title as they defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Finals to claim the championship.[16] This series underscored the enduring rivalry between Lakers star Magic Johnson, who earned league MVP honors with averages of 23.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 12.2 assists, and Celtics forward Larry Bird, whose competition had been instrumental in revitalizing the NBA's popularity throughout the 1980s.[16][17] Their matchups, including three Finals appearances between 1984 and 1987, attracted massive audiences and elevated the league's global appeal, transforming it from a niche sport into a cultural phenomenon.[18] The 1987 NBA draft occurred on June 22, 1987, at the Felt Forum within Madison Square Garden in New York City, broadcast on TBS.[1][19] Conducted over seven rounds with 161 total selections, it involved the league's 23 teams, a number unchanged since the addition of the Dallas Mavericks in 1980 and unaffected by future expansions such as the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995.[1][20][21] While all rounds allowed for player acquisition, the first two garnered the most attention as teams sought immediate contributors to build around established stars like Johnson and Bird.[1]Eligibility Rules
The eligibility rules for the 1987 NBA draft required prospective players to be at least 18 years old during the calendar year of the draft, allowing high school graduates to enter directly without a mandatory college stint.[22] College players who had completed their four-year eligibility—typically seniors—were automatically eligible for selection.[23] Underclassmen could declare as early entrants only if they demonstrated financial hardship or met other exceptional criteria approved by the NBA, a policy in place since 1971 that made such declarations uncommon.[24] International players and those pursuing non-college paths, such as professional leagues overseas or preparatory programs, were eligible provided they satisfied the age requirement and were not enrolled in an NCAA institution, though their inclusion remained rare in 1987 compared to later drafts. The eligible pool largely comprised college seniors scouted through NCAA tournaments and other domestic competitions. Notably, the 1987 draft class was dominated by seniors, with 22 of the 23 first-round picks having completed their college eligibility.[25]Draft Process
Lottery and Selection Order
The 1987 NBA draft lottery, held on May 17, 1987, determined the order for the first three selections among the seven non-playoff teams from the 1986–87 season, with each team assigned an equal 14.3% chance (1 in 7) of winning the top pick to discourage intentional tanking. Starting in 1987, the lottery determined the order for the first three selections by drawing three envelopes from a hopper containing the names of the seven non-playoff teams, replacing the previous system used since 1985 where all seven picks were determined by lottery. The remaining four first-round picks for these teams were set in inverse order of their regular-season records, ensuring the worst-performing teams could not fall below the seventh position. Tiebreakers for identical records prioritized head-to-head results, division record, and conference record if necessary.[1][26] Prior to the lottery, the tentative order reflected the reverse standings: the Los Angeles Clippers earned the top spot with the league-worst 12–70 record, followed by the New Jersey Nets at second and New York Knicks at third (both 24–58), where the Nets prevailed in the tiebreaker via a 5–1 head-to-head series win over the Knicks. The San Antonio Spurs (28–54) slotted fourth, Sacramento Kings (29–53) fifth, Cleveland Cavaliers (31–51) sixth, and Phoenix Suns (36–46) seventh. The drawing shuffled the top three slots dramatically: the Spurs jumped from fourth to first overall, the Suns vaulted from seventh to second, and the Nets held steady at third. This left the Clippers at fourth, Knicks at fifth, Kings at sixth, and Cavaliers at seventh, altering expectations for teams like the Clippers, who had anticipated a higher selection. The Spurs' fortune positioned them to draft naval academy standout David Robinson first overall.Proceedings and Trades
The 1987 NBA draft took place on June 22, 1987, at the Felt Forum in New York City's Madison Square Garden, where NBA Commissioner David Stern presided over the proceedings from the stage.[1][27] The event featured Stern announcing each selection amid visible reactions from team representatives and select players in attendance, including excited poses for photographs and handshakes following key picks.[27] One memorable on-stage moment occurred when Stern introduced the fifth overall pick as "Scott Pippen" instead of Scottie Pippen, prompting a light-hearted correction and chuckles from the audience.[28] Several trades were executed during the draft, altering the distribution of selections and player rights across the first two rounds. The most significant deal came shortly after the Seattle SuperSonics selected Scottie Pippen fifth overall, as they immediately traded his rights to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for center Olden Polynice (whom the Bulls had just drafted 8th overall), a 1988 first-round pick (later used to select Stacey King), and cash considerations.[29][30] In another transaction, the San Antonio Spurs traded the rights to veteran center Artis Gilmore to the Chicago Bulls for a 1988 second-round pick.[29] Additionally, the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to acquire guard Jim Paxson from the Portland Trail Blazers in return for forward Keith Lee, though the deal was later voided when Lee failed a physical.[29][31] Other deals included various exchanges involving future picks. At least five notable trades occurred during the event, reflecting active negotiations among general managers to reshape rosters on the spot.[29]Player Selections
First-Round Picks
The first round of the 1987 NBA draft, held on June 22 in New York City, consisted of 23 selections, emphasizing athletic big men and versatile wings amid a lottery system that awarded the top pick to the San Antonio Spurs after they posted the league's worst record the prior season.[1] This class was notable for its immediate impact potential, though several picks involved trades that reshaped team rosters, particularly for rebuilding franchises like the Chicago Bulls seeking complements for Michael Jordan.[10] Scouting reports highlighted players' physical prowess and college production, with teams prioritizing frontcourt size and perimeter scoring to address playoff deficiencies.[32]| Pick | Player | Drafting Team (Acquired By) | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs (Spurs) | Navy | No trade; entry delayed until 1989 due to military service. |
| 2 | Armen Gilliam | Phoenix Suns (Suns) | UNLV | No trade. |
| 3 | Dennis Hopson | New Jersey Nets (Nets) | Ohio State | No trade. |
| 4 | Reggie Williams | Los Angeles Clippers (Clippers) | Georgetown | No trade. |
| 5 | Scottie Pippen | Seattle SuperSonics (Chicago Bulls) | Central Arkansas | Traded to Bulls for Olden Polynice (8th pick) and a future second-round pick. |
| 6 | Kenny Smith | Sacramento Kings (Kings) | North Carolina | No trade. |
| 7 | Kevin Johnson | Cleveland Cavaliers (Cavaliers) | California | Remained with Cavaliers; traded to Suns in 1988. |
| 8 | Olden Polynice | Chicago Bulls (Seattle SuperSonics) | Virginia | Traded to SuperSonics for Scottie Pippen (5th pick). |
| 9 | Derrick McKey | Seattle SuperSonics (SuperSonics) | Alabama | No trade. |
| 10 | Horace Grant | Chicago Bulls (Bulls) | Clemson | No trade. |
| 11 | Reggie Miller | Indiana Pacers (Pacers) | UCLA | No trade. |
| 12 | Muggsy Bogues | Washington Bullets (Bullets) | Wake Forest | No trade. |
| 13 | Joe Wolf | Los Angeles Clippers (Milwaukee Bucks) | NC State | Traded to Bucks for future considerations. |
| 14 | Tellis Frank | Golden State Warriors (Warriors) | Western Kentucky | No trade. |
| 15 | José Ortiz | Utah Jazz (Jazz) | Oregon State | No trade. |
| 16 | Chris Welp | Philadelphia 76ers (76ers) | Washington | No trade. |
| 17 | Ronnie Murphy | Portland Trail Blazers (Blazers) | Jacksonville | No trade. |
| 18 | Mark Jackson | New York Knicks (Knicks) | St. John's | No trade. |
| 19 | Ken Norman | Los Angeles Clippers (Clippers) | Illinois | No trade. |
| 20 | Jim Farmer | Dallas Mavericks (Mavericks) | Alabama | No trade. |
| 21 | Dallas Comegys | Atlanta Hawks (Hawks) | DePaul | No trade. |
| 22 | Reggie Lewis | Boston Celtics (Celtics) | Northeastern | No trade. |
| 23 | Greg Anderson | San Antonio Spurs (Spurs) | Houston | No trade. |