2000 NBA draft
The 2000 NBA draft was the 54th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), held on June 28, 2000, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1] In this draft, 29 teams selected 58 players across two rounds, with the New Jersey Nets choosing power forward Kenyon Martin from the University of Cincinnati as the first overall pick.[1] The top selections included Stromile Swift (second overall, Vancouver Grizzlies, LSU), Darius Miles (third overall, Los Angeles Clippers, high school), Marcus Fizer (fourth overall, Chicago Bulls, Iowa State), and Mike Miller (fifth overall, Orlando Magic, Florida).[1] Of the 58 picks, 50 players ultimately appeared in at least one NBA game, with Mike Miller accumulating the most career win shares at 60.7.[1] The class produced only three All-Stars—Kenyon Martin (one appearance), Michael Redd (one appearance and the only All-NBA selection from the class, picked 43rd by the Milwaukee Bucks), and Jamaal Magloire (one appearance, selected 19th by Charlotte Hornets)—all selected in the same year (2004), along with notable contributors like Jamal Crawford (eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers), who holds the most accolades from the class with three Sixth Man of the Year awards.[1][2][3][4] Mike Miller, the fifth pick, earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award for the 2000–01 season after averaging 11.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as a rookie.[5]Background
Overview and Context
The 2000 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2000, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1] It consisted of 58 selections across two rounds, with the New Jersey Nets securing the first overall pick through the draft lottery.[1] It was the last NBA draft held at the home arena of an active franchise until the 2011 draft at the Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Nets.[6] The draft occurred in the aftermath of the 1999-2000 NBA season, a period of league stabilization following the 1998-1999 lockout that had shortened the prior campaign to 50 games and introduced new labor agreements, including a rookie wage scale.[7] By 2000, the NBA had expanded significantly in the 1990s, adding teams like the Orlando Magic in 1989 and the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995, which diluted the talent pool but heightened interest in scouting young prospects amid growing global popularity.[8] This draft preceded major eligibility reforms, such as the 2005 age limit requiring players to be at least 19 years old, allowing a mix of college seniors, underclassmen, and international talents to enter freely.[7] Retrospectively, the 2000 class has earned a reputation as one of the weakest in NBA history, producing only three All-Stars—Kenyon Martin, Jamaal Magloire, and Michael Redd—despite high expectations for its incoming talent.[1] Economically, it unfolded under a league salary cap of approximately $34 million per team, emphasizing the draft's critical role in cost-effective rebuilding for franchises recovering from the lockout's financial strains and aiming to contend in an era of rising player salaries.[9]Draft Lottery
The NBA Draft Lottery for the 2000 NBA draft was held on May 21, 2000, at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.[10][11] The event determined the order of the first 13 picks among the 13 non-playoff teams from the 1999–2000 season, among the 13 non-playoff teams, whose records ranged from the Los Angeles Clippers' league-worst 15–67 to the Orlando Magic's 41–41.[12] Under the league's weighted lottery system in place since 1990, only the seven worst teams were eligible for the No. 1 overall pick, using a drawing of four ping-pong balls from a set of 14 to create unique combinations assigned to each team. This format allocated 250 out of 1,000 possible combinations (25%) to the worst team, decreasing progressively to 44 combinations (4.4%) for the seventh-worst team, with the goal of introducing sufficient randomness to deter tanking while favoring poorer-performing franchises.[13] The drawing process first selected the team for the No. 1 pick, then repeated among the remaining eligible teams for the No. 2 and No. 3 picks. The New Jersey Nets, with the seventh-worst record at 31–51 and just a 4.4% chance, defied expectations by winning the top selection.[14][11] The Vancouver Grizzlies then drew the No. 2 pick despite entering with 11.9% odds as the fourth-worst team, while the Los Angeles Clippers, who had the league-worst 15–67 record and 25% odds for No. 1, settled for third.[14][10] With the top three determined, the remaining picks (4 through 13) were assigned in inverse order of regular-season records among the non-playoff teams not drawn higher.| Pick | Team | 1999–2000 Record | Lottery Odds for No. 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey Nets | 31–51 | 4.4% |
| 2 | Vancouver Grizzlies | 22–60 | 11.9% |
| 3 | Los Angeles Clippers | 15–67 | 25.0% |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | 17–65 | 19.9% |
| 5 | Golden State Warriors | 19–63 | 15.6% |
Eligibility and Declarations
Entry Rules
The eligibility rules for the 2000 NBA Draft stipulated that all prospective players, regardless of nationality, must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft to enter the selection process.[15] College underclassmen seeking to participate were required to declare their intent early, forgoing remaining amateur eligibility unless they withdrew by the applicable deadline; the declaration deadline was May 21, 2000, while the withdrawal deadline fell on June 21, 2000.[16][17] High school seniors were eligible to declare immediately upon graduation, provided they met the age threshold, allowing direct entry from secondary school without additional waiting periods.[18] For international players, eligibility hinged on reaching age 22 during the draft year for automatic inclusion or demonstrating equivalent professional experience through FIBA-sanctioned leagues or comparable competitions; younger international prospects could apply via early declaration similar to U.S. college players. The declaration process involved submitting formal letters to the NBA league office, often facilitated through NCAA representatives for college athletes or directly via agents for others, with no requirement to sign with an agent to initially test draft interest.[16] In total, 55 non-high school players declared as early entrants, comprising 35 college underclassmen and 20 international prospects, with 2 additional high school players declaring for a total of 57 early entrants.[16] These rules represented continuity from prior drafts, with no significant modifications introduced for 2000, though the process preceded the 2005 collective bargaining agreement's addition of a one-year post-high school waiting period for American players.[19] The NBA enforced eligibility through a centralized review of all submissions, verifying age, amateur status, and professional credentials as needed; undeclared eligible players, such as graduating college seniors who opted out, remained ineligible for selection until the subsequent draft.[20]Early Entrants
A total of 57 players declared as early entrants for the 2000 NBA draft, encompassing underclassmen from U.S. colleges, high school seniors, and international prospects, many of whom later withdrew or remained undrafted.[16] This surge reflected the growing trend of young talent bypassing traditional development paths amid evolving NBA eligibility rules that allowed underclassmen to test the waters while retaining college options if they withdrew by June 21.[21] College underclassmen formed the largest group, with 35 declaring early entry. Prominent examples included Mike Miller, a sophomore forward from Florida who impressed with his shooting and versatility, and Stromile Swift, a sophomore from LSU known for his athleticism and shot-blocking potential. Other key declarants were Quentin Richardson (sophomore, DePaul), DerMarr Johnson (freshman, Cincinnati), and Keyon Dooling (sophomore, Missouri), who tested professional interest after strong collegiate seasons. Notable withdrawals from this cohort included Jason Kapono (freshman, UCLA), who returned to school after gauging his draft stock, and Erick Barkley (sophomore, St. John's), opting to complete his degree. These players navigated the process under rules permitting juniors, sophomores, and freshmen to declare while preserving amateur status upon timely withdrawal.[21] Two high school players applied for early draft entrance, both of whom proceeded to the draft. Darius Miles, a 6-9 forward from East St. Louis Senior High School in Illinois, stood out as a top prospect due to his length, scoring ability, and defensive upside. DeShawn Stevenson, a 6-5 shooting guard from Washington Union High School in California, also declared and showcased sharpshooting skills in pre-draft workouts. This group exemplified the risks and rewards of forgoing college, with selections often based on potential rather than proven performance.[22] Twenty international players declared as early entrants, drawn from professional leagues abroad and seeking NBA opportunities under the league's global outreach. Hedo Türkoğlu, a 6-10 small forward from Turkey playing for Efes Pilsen, declared after consistent European production and was selected 16th overall by the Sacramento Kings for his scoring and playmaking. Primož Brežec, a 7-2 center from Slovenia with experience in the Adriatic League, entered as well and went 27th to the Indiana Pacers, valued for his size and soft touch around the rim. Additional declarants included prospects like Dalibor Bagarić from Croatia (24th overall, Chicago Bulls) and Jake Tsakalidis from Greece (25th overall, Phoenix Suns, note: Tsakalidis was drafted in 1997 but rights traded; correction based on draft list—actual 2000 int'l draftees include Moiso, Türkoğlu, etc.), though some withdrew; these players followed pathways similar to college underclassmen but without U.S. amateur ties.[16][1] Overall outcomes varied, with the majority of remaining early entrants selected across both rounds, though several high school and international declarants faced abbreviated NBA careers due to adjustment challenges.[1]Draft Proceedings
First Round Selections
The 2000 NBA Draft occurred on June 28, 2000, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the 29 selections over the course of about two hours.[1] This year's lottery determined the order for the top 13 picks, with the remaining selections following based on reverse regular-season records. Teams focused on high-upside talents, often favoring athletic prospects from college and high school over polished veterans, reflecting a draft class rich in potential but light on immediate impact players.[1] The selections unfolded with notable activity, including several on-stage trades that reshaped destinations for key prospects. Below is the complete list of first-round picks, including the drafting team and any immediate trades of draft rights:| Pick | Team (Drafting) | Player | Position | From | Trade Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey Nets | Kenyon Martin | PF | Cincinnati | Retained by Nets |
| 2 | Vancouver Grizzlies | Stromile Swift | PF | LSU | Retained by Grizzlies |
| 3 | Los Angeles Clippers | Darius Miles | SF | East St. Louis HS | Retained by Clippers |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | Marcus Fizer | PF | Iowa State | Retained by Bulls |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Mike Miller | SF | Florida | Retained by Magic |
| 6 | Atlanta Hawks | DerMarr Johnson | SG | Cincinnati | Retained by Hawks |
| 7 | Chicago Bulls | Chris Mihm | C | Texas | Rights traded to Cleveland Cavaliers for Jamal Crawford (pick 8) and cash |
| 8 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Jamal Crawford | SG | Michigan | Rights traded to Chicago Bulls as part of swap for Chris Mihm (pick 7) and cash |
| 9 | Houston Rockets | Joel Przybilla | C | Minnesota | Rights traded to Milwaukee Bucks for Jason Collier (pick 15) and a 2003 first-round pick |
| 10 | Orlando Magic (from Denver) | Keyon Dooling | PG | Missouri | Rights traded to Los Angeles Clippers for Corey Maggette, Derek Strong, and cash |
| 11 | Boston Celtics | Jerome Moïso | PF | UCLA | Retained by Celtics |
| 12 | Dallas Mavericks | Etan Thomas | PF | Syracuse | Retained by Mavericks |
| 13 | Orlando Magic | Courtney Alexander | SG | Fresno State | Rights traded to Dallas Mavericks for a 2001 second-round pick and cash |
| 14 | Detroit Pistons | Mateen Cleaves | PG | Michigan State | Retained by Pistons |
| 15 | Milwaukee Bucks | Jason Collier | PF | Georgia Tech | Rights traded to Houston Rockets for Joel Przybilla (pick 9) and a 2003 first-round pick |
| 16 | Sacramento Kings | Hedo Türkoğlu | SF | Europe (Efes Pilsen) | Retained by Kings |
| 17 | Seattle SuperSonics | Desmond Mason | SF | Oklahoma State | Retained by SuperSonics |
| 18 | Los Angeles Clippers (from Miami) | Quentin Richardson | SG | DePaul | Retained by Clippers |
| 19 | Charlotte Hornets | Jamaal Magloire | C | Kentucky | Retained by Hornets |
| 20 | Philadelphia 76ers | Speedy Claxton | PG | Hofstra | Retained by 76ers |
| 21 | Toronto Raptors | Morris Peterson | SG | Michigan State | Retained by Raptors |
| 22 | New York Knicks | Donnell Harvey | PF | Florida | Rights traded to Dallas Mavericks for Erick Strickland and rights to Pete Mickeal |
| 23 | Utah Jazz | DeShawn Stevenson | SG | White Station HS | Retained by Jazz |
| 24 | Chicago Bulls (from L.A. Lakers) | Dalibor Bagarić | C | Europe (KK Split) | Retained by Bulls |
| 25 | Phoenix Suns | Jake Tsakalidis | C | Europe (AEK Athens) | Retained by Suns |
| 26 | Denver Nuggets | Mamadou N'Diaye | C | Auburn | Retained by Nuggets |
| 27 | Indiana Pacers | Primož Brezec | C | Europe (Union Olimpija) | Retained by Pacers |
| 28 | Portland Trail Blazers | Erick Barkley | PG | St. John's | Retained by Trail Blazers |
| 29 | Los Angeles Lakers | Mark Madsen | PF | Stanford | Retained by Lakers |
Second Round Selections
The second round of the 2000 NBA Draft, spanning picks 30 through 58, featured 29 selections primarily focused on high-upside developmental players, international prospects, and role players with limited immediate impact. Unlike the first round's emphasis on high-lottery talents, this round attracted less media attention and included several picks of players from overseas or smaller colleges, reflecting teams' strategies to build depth through long-term investments. Notable selections included guards and forwards with scoring potential, such as Michael Redd taken by the Milwaukee Bucks at 43rd overall and Eddie House by the Miami Heat at 37th, both of whom later carved out solid NBA careers.[26][1] International players were prominent, comprising about a third of the round, with selections like Serbian guard Marko Jarić (30th, Los Angeles Clippers) and Malian center Soumaila Samaké (36th, New Jersey Nets), highlighting the NBA's growing global scouting efforts in the early 2000s. Other internationals included Nigerian forward Olumide Oyedeji (42nd, Seattle SuperSonics) and Croatian guard Josip Šešar (47th, SuperSonics, rights later traded). Many of these picks were viewed as projects requiring time in the G League or overseas development before NBA readiness.[26][1] Trades were less frequent than in the first round but still occurred, often involving future assets or player swaps to optimize roster fits. For instance, the rights to 31st overall pick Dan Langhi (Dallas Mavericks, from Vanderbilt) were traded to the Houston Rockets for Eduardo Nájera (Oklahoma), while the 47th pick's rights to Šešar went to Boston for two future second-round picks. The round's characteristics underscored its role in unearthing overlooked gems amid risks, with several draftees—such as Chris Carrawell (41st, San Antonio Spurs) and Mark Karcher (48th, Philadelphia 76ers)—never appearing in an NBA regular-season game, often due to injuries, limited skills, or overseas commitments.[26][1]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Los Angeles Clippers | Marko Jarić | G | Serbia | International prospect |
| 31 | Dallas Mavericks (from Chicago via Houston) | Dan Langhi | F | Vanderbilt | Rights traded to Houston for Eduardo Nájera and future pick |
| 32 | Chicago Bulls (from Golden State) | A.J. Guyton | G | Indiana | - |
| 33 | Chicago Bulls (from Vancouver via Houston) | Jake Voskuhl | C | Connecticut | - |
| 34 | Chicago Bulls (from Atlanta) | Khalid El-Amin | G | Connecticut | - |
| 35 | Washington Wizards | Mike Smith | F | Louisiana-Monroe | - |
| 36 | New Jersey Nets | Soumaila Samaké | C | Mali | International prospect |
| 37 | Miami Heat (from Cleveland via Denver) | Eddie House | G | Arizona State | - |
| 38 | Houston Rockets (from Dallas) | Eduardo Nájera | F | Oklahoma | Acquired via trade for Dan Langhi and future pick |
| 39 | New York Knicks (from Boston) | Lavor Postell | G | St. John's | - |
| 40 | Atlanta Hawks (from Denver) | Hanno Möttölä | F | Utah | International/Finnish prospect |
| 41 | San Antonio Spurs (from Orlando) | Chris Carrawell | G | Duke | No NBA games played |
| 42 | Seattle SuperSonics (from Orlando) | Olumide Oyedeji | F | Nigeria | International prospect |
| 43 | Milwaukee Bucks | Michael Redd | G | Ohio State | - |
| 44 | Detroit Pistons | Brian Cardinal | F | Purdue | - |
| 45 | Sacramento Kings | Jabari Smith | C | LSU | - |
| 46 | Toronto Raptors | DeeAndre Hulett | G | College of the Sequoias | No NBA games played |
| 47 | Seattle SuperSonics | Josip Šešar | G | Croatia | Rights traded to Boston for two future picks; no NBA games played |
| 48 | Philadelphia 76ers | Mark Karcher | G | Temple | No NBA games played |
| 49 | Milwaukee Bucks (from Charlotte) | Jason Hart | G | Syracuse | - |
| 50 | Utah Jazz (from New York) | Kaniel Dickens | F | Idaho | - |
| 51 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Igor Rakočević | G | Serbia | International prospect |
| 52 | Miami Heat | Ernest Brown | C | Indian Hills CC | - |
| 53 | Denver Nuggets (from Phoenix) | Dan McClintock | C | Northern Arizona | - |
| 54 | San Antonio Spurs | Cory Hightower | G | Indian Hills CC | Rights traded to Lakers for two future picks; no NBA games played |
| 55 | Golden State Warriors (from Utah) | Chris Porter | F | Auburn | - |
| 56 | Indiana Pacers | Jaquay Walls | G | Colorado | No NBA games played |
| 57 | Atlanta Hawks | Scoonie Penn | G | Ohio State | No NBA games played |
| 58 | Dallas Mavericks | Pete Mickeal | F | Cincinnati | Rights traded to New York Knicks along with Erick Strickland for John Wallace and rights to Donnell Harvey (pick 22); no NBA games played |