2004 NBA expansion draft
The 2004 NBA expansion draft was a special draft held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on June 22, 2004, to stock the roster of the Charlotte Bobcats, the league's 30th franchise and first expansion team since 1995.[1] The Bobcats, owned by BET founder Bob Johnson, were established to revive professional basketball in Charlotte after the original Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2002, marking the team's entry into the Eastern Conference's Central Division for the 2004–05 season.[1] Under the draft rules, each of the existing 29 NBA teams could protect up to eight players on their rosters, with teams having fewer than eight players required to leave at least one unprotected; this created a pool of approximately 320-340 eligible players, excluding unrestricted free agents and unsigned draft picks.[2][1] The Bobcats were permitted to select between 14 and 29 players, with a restriction of no more than two from any single team, aiming to build a competitive nucleus while adhering to a salary cap of approximately $29 million—66% of the league's $43.9 million cap—for their inaugural season.[2][1] Pre-draft trades were common as teams maneuvered to shield assets or offload contracts, and post-draft, teams losing players received trade exceptions equal to the selected player's 2004–05 salary, while restricted free agents picked by Charlotte became unrestricted on July 1.[2] The Bobcats ultimately selected 19 players, prioritizing young talent and potential over high-salary veterans, with standout picks including small forward Gerald Wallace from the Sacramento Kings, center Primož Brezec from the Indiana Pacers, and forward Jason Kapono from the Cleveland Cavaliers.[1] Wallace, in particular, emerged as a cornerstone, earning All-Star honors in 2010 and anchoring the franchise for nearly a decade.[1] The expansion draft's ripple effects extended beyond selections, facilitating key trades; for instance, Charlotte's agreement to select forward Predrag Drobnjak facilitated a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, in which the Bobcats acquired the No. 2 pick in the 2004 NBA draft in exchange for the No. 4 pick and Drobnjak, allowing Charlotte to draft center Emeka Okafor.[1][3] Despite the haul, the Bobcats struggled in their debut 2004–05 campaign, finishing 18–64 and setting an NBA record for fewest wins by an expansion team in its first season, though it laid the foundation for future growth.[1]Background
Franchise Establishment
The relocation of the original Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans after the 2001–02 NBA season left the city without a professional basketball team for the first time since the franchise's inception in 1988. NBA owners had approved the move on May 10, 2002, by a 28–1 vote, citing issues such as declining attendance and inadequate arena facilities in Charlotte as key factors driving owner George Shinn's decision to seek a new market.[4] The Hornets played their final season in Charlotte during 2001–02 before transitioning to New Orleans for the 2002–03 campaign, rebranded as the New Orleans Hornets.[5] In response to the city's strong basketball fanbase and ongoing efforts to secure a new franchise, the NBA awarded its 30th team to Charlotte on December 18, 2002, with ownership granted to Robert L. Johnson, the billionaire founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), who paid a $300 million expansion fee.[6] This marked a historic milestone, as Johnson became the first African American majority owner of a major professional sports team in the United States.[7] The NBA Board of Governors formally unanimously approved the expansion franchise on January 10, 2003, with the team slated to join the league for the 2004–05 season and play initial home games at the existing Charlotte Coliseum while a new arena was developed.[8] On June 11, 2003, the franchise was officially named the Charlotte Bobcats, selected from fan-submitted suggestions including "Flight" and "Dragons," with the bobcat symbolizing the region's wildlife and fierce spirit.[9] Shortly thereafter, construction began on July 29, 2003, for a new $265 million, 20,200-seat arena in uptown Charlotte, designed to serve as the team's long-term home and scheduled to open in October 2005 as the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.[10] These developments culminated in the Bobcats' debut on November 4, 2004, launching the franchise's entry into the NBA Southeast Division and restoring professional basketball to Charlotte after a two-year absence.[11]Preparation and Protections
In preparation for the 2004 NBA expansion draft, the 29 existing NBA teams were required to submit lists of protected players to prevent the Charlotte Bobcats from selecting their most valuable assets. Each team could protect up to eight players under contract or classified as restricted free agents for the 2004-05 season, with the deadline set for noon on June 11, 2004, for all teams except the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons, who were competing in the NBA Finals and had until two days after the series concluded. This process ensured that teams could safeguard core contributors while exposing others to build the new franchise.[12] Notable examples of protection decisions highlighted the strategic priorities of contending teams. The Los Angeles Lakers protected eight of their ten contracted players, including superstars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, while leaving veterans Rick Fox and young center Jamal Sampson available. Similarly, the Dallas Mavericks shielded franchise cornerstone Dirk Nowitzki to maintain their competitive edge. These choices reflected a league-wide effort to balance roster preservation with the obligations of expansion.[12][13] As the expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats, led by general manager and head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, focused their preparatory strategy on acquiring young, unproven talent to establish a foundational core rather than immediate veterans. Bickerstaff emphasized building through potential and balance, aiming for players who could develop over time in line with the franchise's long-term vision. This approach was informed by pre-draft scouting and negotiations to maximize value from available options.[14] The NBA officially announced the expansion draft date as June 22, 2004, to follow immediately after the NBA Finals, with a contingency shift to June 23 if the series extended to seven games; this timing allowed seamless integration with the regular 2004 NBA Draft on June 24. These preparations stemmed directly from the league's approval of the Bobcats as its 30th franchise in late 2002, marking the first expansion since 1995.[15]Rules and Procedures
Player Eligibility
In the 2004 NBA expansion draft, player eligibility was determined by the unprotected status of players on the rosters of the 29 existing teams, as each team submitted a protection list prior to the draft. Any player under contract or eligible to become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2003–04 season who was not included on a team's protected list of up to eight players was available for selection by the Charlotte Bobcats.[16] Unrestricted free agents were ineligible for selection, but restricted free agents could be chosen, with a special provision that they would automatically become unrestricted free agents upon selection, bypassing the standard offer sheet and matching rights process.[2] Teams with fewer than eight players under contract were required to protect all but one, ensuring at least some exposure while prioritizing roster completeness.[2] The Bobcats operated without salary cap restrictions during the draft selections, enabling flexible roster building, though they were obligated to conclude the process with a minimum of 14 players under contract for the 2004–05 season to meet league requirements.[16][2]Selection Process
The 2004 NBA expansion draft for the Charlotte Bobcats was structured in 19 rounds to build the franchise's initial roster from the unprotected players of the league's 29 existing teams. In each round, the Bobcats selected one player, with the order of available teams determined by the reverse order of the 2003–04 regular season standings; teams from which the Bobcats had already selected two players were skipped in subsequent rounds to promote an even distribution of selections across the league. This alternating round format ensured the Bobcats could not disproportionately target stronger or weaker teams, fostering a balanced approach to roster construction.[17] The draft resulted in 19 total selections by the Bobcats, limited to no more than two players from any single team, which helped create a diverse starting point for the new franchise while respecting the protections set by existing teams. The event was held at the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, and televised live on NBA TV, enabling real-time public viewing of the proceedings as the Bobcats methodically assembled their squad.[18] Following each selection, the rights to the chosen players were immediately transferred to the Bobcats, integrating them into the team's roster for the upcoming season. Existing teams that lost a player under contract for the 2004–05 season received a trade exception equivalent to that player's salary, allowing them to acquire a replacement of comparable value without immediate salary cap penalties and easing the overall league impact of the expansion.[16]Draft Execution
Key Facts
The Charlotte Bobcats selected 19 players in the 2004 NBA expansion draft to build their initial roster, drawing one player from each of 19 existing NBA franchises.[18] The selections included 10 players under contract and 9 restricted free agents, with the first pick being forward Lonny Baxter from the Washington Wizards.[18] The draft process, held on June 22, 2004, was efficient and completed in under two hours, allowing for rapid announcement of the full list during a special event in Charlotte.[19] Notable aggregates from the selections featured an average age of approximately 25 years, reflecting a balance of emerging talent and experienced role players. The total salary commitments from these players contributed to the Bobcats' 2004-05 team payroll of $23,922,578, operating under a reduced salary cap of about 66% of the league standard for expansion teams.[20][16]Player Selections
The Charlotte Bobcats selected 19 players during the 2004 NBA expansion draft on June 22, 2004, drawing from unprotected lists across the league to build an initial roster blending experience with youth. These selections provided the team with a starting point under salary cap constraints, though many players had limited NBA impact due to their journeyman status or raw potential. The picks, made in a predetermined order to balance opportunities among the 29 existing teams, included 10 players under contract and 9 restricted free agents who became unrestricted on July 1, 2004.[18] To organize the selections by primary position—guards, forwards, and centers—the following table lists them in draft order, including key details such as height, prior team, and representative 2003-04 season averages (points, rebounds, and assists per game where applicable). Brief one-sentence profiles highlight each player's role and notable attributes at the time of selection. Immediately following the draft, the Bobcats traded two selections for draft assets, while several others were waived during preseason training camp; the retained players formed the core of the opening night roster alongside regular draft picks and free agents.[21]Guards
| Pick | Player | Height/Weight | Prior Team | 2003-04 Stats (PPG/RPG/APG) | Brief Profile | Post-Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | J.R. Bremer | 6-2 / 185 lbs | Golden State Warriors | 3.3 / 1.0 / 1.4 (36 games) | A quick point guard with scoring punch off the bench, Bremer had shown promise as a second-year pro in limited minutes. | Retained |
| 4 | Maurice Carter | 6-5 / 220 lbs | New Orleans Hornets | 1.5 / 0.5 / 0.2 (10 games) | An athletic shooting guard with upside from his college days at LSU, Carter was a restricted free agent seeking a larger role. | Waived (October 2004) |
| 8 | Richie Frahm | 6-5 / 210 lbs | Seattle SuperSonics | 2.5 / 0.8 / 0.5 (7 games) | A sharpshooting guard from Gonzaga, Frahm impressed in Summer League but struggled for consistent NBA time as a rookie. | Waived (October 2004) |
| 12 | Aleksandar Pavlovic | 6-7 / 210 lbs | Utah Jazz | 4.8 / 1.8 / 1.0 (58 games) | A tall, versatile combo guard with international experience, Pavlovic offered perimeter shooting and defensive length as a rookie. | Traded (to Cleveland Cavaliers for future first-round pick) |
| 14 | Tamar Slay | 6-8 / 215 lbs | New Jersey Nets | 2.5 / 1.0 / 0.4 (22 games) | A lengthy wing with scoring potential from Marshall University, Slay was a second-year player looking to break out. | Retained |
| 16 | Jeff Trepagnier | 6-4 / 205 lbs | Denver Nuggets | 1.7 / 0.7 / 0.3 (46 games) | A defensive-minded guard from USC, Trepagnier brought toughness and athleticism as a third-year veteran with minimal production. | Waived (October 2004) |
Forwards
| Pick | Player | Height/Weight | Prior Team | 2003-04 Stats (PPG/RPG/APG) | Brief Profile | Post-Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lonny Baxter | 6-8 / 260 lbs | Washington Wizards | 4.2 / 3.4 / 0.2 (62 games) | A physical power forward and 2002 NCAA champion from Maryland, Baxter provided rebounding depth as a second-year big. | Waived (October 2004) |
| 6 | Desmond Ferguson | 6-5 / 210 lbs | Portland Trail Blazers | 1.9 / 0.6 / 0.3 (22 games) | An explosive rookie shooting guard from Detroit Mercy, Ferguson was an athletic scorer with high-energy play off the bench. | Waived (September 2004) |
| 7 | Marcus Fizer | 6-9 / 260 lbs | Chicago Bulls | 2.7 / 1.9 / 0.4 (48 games) | A former lottery pick with power forward scoring ability from Iowa State, Fizer aimed to revive his career after injury setbacks. | Retained |
| 9 | Brandon Hunter | 6-7 / 260 lbs | Boston Celtics | 3.5 / 3.3 / 0.5 (58 games) | A tough, undersized power forward from Ohio University, Hunter excelled in rebounding and energy during his rookie season. | Retained |
| 10 | Jason Kapono | 6-8 / 213 lbs | Cleveland Cavaliers | 3.5 / 1.6 / 0.6 (67 games) | A skilled small forward and UCLA standout known for his shooting accuracy, Kapono was a rookie with offensive versatility. | Retained |
| 13 | Jamal Sampson | 6-11 / 235 lbs | Los Angeles Lakers | 1.0 / 2.0 / 0.2 (22 games) | A raw but athletic power forward/center from California, Sampson offered shot-blocking potential as a second-year player. | Retained |
| 15 | Theron Smith | 6-8 / 225 lbs | Memphis Grizzlies | 2.2 / 2.1 / 0.3 (48 games) | A versatile small forward from Ball State, Smith brought multi-positional defense and transition play as a rookie. | Waived (October 2004) |
| 17 | Gerald Wallace | 6-7 / 215 lbs | Sacramento Kings | 3.8 / 2.1 / 0.6 (17 games) | An athletic small forward with elite defensive potential from Alabama, Wallace was a third-year prospect prized for his energy and versatility. | Retained |
| 18 | Jahidi White | 6-9 / 290 lbs | Phoenix Suns | 4.3 / 4.2 / 0.4 (25 games) | A veteran power forward known for rebounding tenacity from Georgetown, White brought size and experience but carried a large contract. | Waived (September 2004; selected as part of pre-draft asset deal with Phoenix) |
Centers
| Pick | Player | Height/Weight | Prior Team | 2003-04 Stats (PPG/RPG/APG) | Brief Profile | Post-Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Primoz Brezec | 7-1 / 252 lbs | Indiana Pacers | 5.8 / 3.0 / 0.3 (66 games) | A skilled Slovenian center with soft shooting touch, Brezec was a third-year international prospect providing backup scoring. | Retained |
| 5 | Predrag Drobnjak | 6-11 / 272 lbs | Los Angeles Clippers | 5.8 / 2.5 / 0.5 (61 games) | A veteran center from Montenegro with mid-range scoring ability, Drobnjak offered international experience as a third-year NBA player. | Waived (October 2004; selected as part of pre-draft asset deal with Clippers) |
| 11 | Zaza Pachulia | 6-11 / 240 lbs | Orlando Magic | 3.3 / 2.9 / 0.7 (52 games) | A gritty Georgian center and rookie with rebounding instincts, Pachulia was noted for his physicality and basketball IQ. | Traded (to Milwaukee Bucks for 45th pick in 2004 draft) |
| 19 | Loren Woods | 7-1 / 245 lbs | Miami Heat | 2.3 / 2.6 / 0.2 (33 games) | A towering center from Arizona with shot-blocking reach, Woods was a third-year veteran seeking consistent minutes. | Waived (October 2004) |