2007 NBA draft
The 2007 NBA draft was the 60th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA), held on June 28, 2007, in New York City.[1] Featuring 60 selections across two rounds, it began with the Portland Trail Blazers selecting center Greg Oden from Ohio State University first overall, followed by the Seattle SuperSonics choosing forward Kevin Durant from the University of Texas second overall.[2] Considered one of the most anticipated drafts in NBA history due to the intense debate over Oden and Durant as the top prospects, the event highlighted the league's focus on high-upside college talents.[2] The class ultimately delivered several enduring stars and All-Stars, including Kevin Durant—a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and 15-time All-Star who is widely regarded as the draft's best player—as well as Al Horford (third overall, five-time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion), Mike Conley (fourth overall, one-time All-Star), Joakim Noah (ninth overall, two-time All-Star and 2014 Defensive Player of the Year), and second-round selection Marc Gasol (48th overall, three-time All-Star, 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, 2019 NBA champion, and 2015 All-NBA First Team).[3][1][4][5][6] The draft was further defined by blockbuster trades, such as the Seattle SuperSonics sending Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics for forward Jeff Green (fifth overall) and other assets, reshaping team rosters ahead of the 2007–08 season.[7]Background and Process
Draft Overview
The 2007 NBA draft took place on June 28, 2007, at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[1][8] The event saw 30 NBA teams select a total of 60 players across two rounds, marking a standard draft format that emphasized rebuilding opportunities for struggling franchises.[1] Broadcast internationally, the draft highlighted the league's growing global appeal while focusing primarily on domestic talent evaluation.[9] A central theme of the draft was the intense debate between top prospects Greg Oden, a dominant center from Ohio State, and Kevin Durant, a scoring forward from Texas, with Oden widely regarded as the consensus number-one pick despite emerging concerns over his injury history, including a recent wrist surgery.[10][11] This rivalry captivated analysts and fans, underscoring the high stakes for lottery teams seeking a franchise cornerstone.[12] In historical context, the 2007 draft followed the 2006 class, which featured a surge in international selections, including the first European player taken first overall with Andrea Bargnani and 10 international early-entry candidates.[13] In contrast, 2007 shifted emphasis toward U.S. college players, though nine international prospects were still drafted, reflecting a balanced but domestically leaning talent pool.[1]Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility rules for the 2007 NBA draft were governed by the 2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, which had introduced a minimum age requirement effective for the 2006 draft and remained unchanged for 2007.[14] Under these rules, all players selected in the draft were required to be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year of the draft.[15] For players who were not classified as international players, an additional criterion applied: at least one full NBA season must have elapsed since their graduation from high school.[14] This age and post-high school waiting period effectively ended direct entry from high school, a practice that had been allowed prior to 2006.[16] For U.S. college players, eligibility was determined by a combination of NCAA standing and the NBA's age/post-high school requirements. Players who had exhausted their college eligibility—typically seniors—were automatically eligible for the draft without needing to declare.[14] Underclassmen, such as sophomores, could also declare early entry by submitting written notice to the NBA at least 60 days before the draft, provided they met the age and one-year post-high school criteria; freshmen faced the same options but were effectively limited to those who had turned 19 and completed one year since high school.[14] This framework encouraged the "one-and-done" phenomenon in 2007, where highly touted freshmen played a single college season before declaring for the draft to satisfy the eligibility threshold.[15] There were no significant alterations to these college-specific rules from the prior year.[16] International players faced slightly different criteria under the 2005 CBA, which defined them as individuals who had resided outside the United States and Canada for at least three consecutive years in the five years immediately preceding the draft and had not played U.S. high school or college basketball.[14] Such players were eligible if they were at least 19 years old during the draft year, without the additional one-year post-high school waiting period, or if they were turning 22 during the calendar year or had signed a professional contract abroad and rendered services under it.[14] They could not have previously played in an NBA game.[14] This allowed international prospects to gain professional experience overseas during their post-high school year, though the core age minimum applied uniformly.[15] Players who declared for the 2007 draft but went undrafted became unrestricted free agents immediately after the event concluded, free to negotiate and sign contracts with any NBA team without draft-related restrictions.[17] These undrafted players retained their amateur status for NBA purposes unless they had hired an agent prior to the draft, and teams often pursued them aggressively in the immediate post-draft period for training camp invitations or short-term deals.[17] This process provided an alternative entry path for eligible players not selected in the 60-pick draft.[17]Pre-Draft Developments
Early Entry Declarations
The early entry process for the 2007 NBA draft saw a significant number of underclassmen and international players declare their eligibility, expanding the talent pool ahead of the June 28 event. According to the NBA's official announcement, 58 players from U.S. colleges and institutions, along with 25 international prospects, filed as early entry candidates by the declaration deadline of April 29, 2007.[18] These declarations, governed by the league's eligibility rules allowing underclassmen and qualifying young international players to enter without completing their college degrees or professional contracts—and under the 2005 CBA requiring players to be at least 19 during the draft year—set the stage for a deep draft class.[19][20] Among the college underclassmen, several high-profile talents opted to forgo remaining eligibility, including Ohio State freshman center Greg Oden, a dominant big man who led his team to the NCAA tournament as a freshman with averages of 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game; Texas freshman forward Kevin Durant, who exploded for 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game en route to National Freshman of the Year honors; Florida junior forward Al Horford, a versatile defender and rebounder on the defending national champions; Florida junior center Joakim Noah, known for his athleticism and intensity after helping secure the 2006 NCAA title; and Ohio State freshman point guard Mike Conley Jr., a quick and efficient floor general who averaged 10.7 points and 5.9 assists as a freshman.[21] These players represented a mix of freshmen and juniors testing the waters, often after strong NCAA performances.[22] International declarations added global flair to the pool, with notable prospects including 21-year-old Spanish wing Rudy Fernández of Joventut Badalona, a scoring and passing standout who had led his club to the Spanish League title and earned ACB MVP honors; 18-year-old French forward Nicolas Batum of SLUC Nancy, a skilled shooter and defender projected as a lottery talent; and 22-year-old Spanish center Marc Gasol of Akasvayu Girona, a 7-foot technician with professional experience in Europe's top leagues.[21] These entrants, eligible under NBA rules for players aged 19 or older by the end of the 2006-07 season who met professional play thresholds, brought athleticism and skill from overseas competitions.[23] Candidates had until the withdrawal deadline of June 18, 2007, to pull out without penalty if they had not hired an agent, allowing many to gauge feedback from workouts and team interviews.[20] For instance, Georgetown junior center Roy Hibbert, who had averaged 12.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in the 2006-07 season, withdrew on May 23 to return for his senior year and further develop his post game.[24][25] Ultimately, 46 players withdrew, leaving 32 college underclassmen and 6 internationals in the final pool.[21] The influx of early declarations notably deepened the draft at forward and guard positions, with versatile wings like Durant and Green, along with playmakers such as Conley, creating intense competition for mid-to-late first-round selections and bolstering overall positional talent availability.[21]Draft Lottery
The 2007 NBA draft lottery took place on May 22, 2007, at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, to determine the order of the top picks among the league's non-playoff teams from the 2006–07 season. This event was especially anticipated due to the presence of elite college prospects such as Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, who were expected to headline the draft. The lottery involved the 14 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs, with selection odds assigned inversely to their regular-season records to promote competitive balance.[26] The team with the worst record, the Memphis Grizzlies (22–60), entered with a 25.0% chance of securing the No. 1 pick, while the Portland Trail Blazers (32–50), who had the seventh-worst record, held just a 5.3% probability.[27] Other notable entrants included the Boston Celtics (24–58) at 19.9% odds and the Seattle SuperSonics (31–51) at 8.8%.[27] The selection process utilized a random drawing of ping-pong balls from a lottery machine containing 14 numbered balls (1 through 14), with four balls drawn to form winning combinations out of 1,001 possible outcomes; each team was assigned a varying number of these combinations based on their odds.[26] This drawing determined the top three picks, while positions 4 through 14 were set by reverse order of regular-season winning percentage, with ties broken by strength of schedule.[26] The event was conducted in a sequestered room with representatives from each team, league officials, and media, ensuring transparency. In a shocking outcome, the Portland Trail Blazers defied their slim 5.3% odds to win the No. 1 pick, followed by the Seattle SuperSonics landing No. 2 despite 8.8% odds, and the Atlanta Hawks securing No. 3 with 11.9% probability.[28] The Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks—the three teams with the worst records—slipped outside the top three to positions 4, 5, and 6, respectively, marking the first such occurrence since 1993. The lottery was broadcast live on ESPN, drawing significant viewership amid the high stakes of the draft class. While no formal controversies arose regarding the drawing's integrity, the results sparked widespread surprise and frustration, particularly for Memphis, whose dramatic fall highlighted the lottery's inherent unpredictability.Draft Event and Selections
Event Details
The 2007 NBA draft was held on June 28, 2007, at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, marking the first time the annual event took place at this venue.[1][29] The proceedings consisted of two rounds, with scheduled breaks between them, and were broadcast live on ESPN starting at 7:30 p.m. ET to audiences across 115 countries.[2][30] NBA Commissioner David Stern presided over the ceremony, announcing each selection from the stage alongside team representatives and the draftees who joined him for handshakes and photos.[31][32] The atmosphere buzzed with high energy and tension, fueled by the intense pre-draft debate over whether centers like Greg Oden or scoring forwards like Kevin Durant represented the better foundational choice, with teams heavily influenced by confidential medical evaluations released in the days leading up to the event.[33][12] Hundreds of guests, including family members, agents, and league executives, filled the theater, amplifying the celebratory yet nerve-wracking vibe as prospects awaited their professional futures.[34] Top lottery hopefuls gathered in a dedicated green room prior to the broadcast for interviews and camaraderie, while selected players participated in post-draft press conferences immediately following their announcements.[35][36]First-Round Selections
The first round of the 2007 NBA draft featured 30 selections, emphasizing frontcourt talent from American colleges alongside emerging international prospects, held on June 28, 2007, in New York City.[1] The lottery portion highlighted a debate between traditional big men and versatile scorers, with teams prioritizing size to address roster needs in a league transitioning toward more athletic play.[1] The selections are listed below, showing the original drafting team, player, position, and college or country of origin. Some picks involved immediate trades, noted where applicable, but details are covered elsewhere.[1]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland Trail Blazers | Greg Oden | C | Ohio State |
| 2 | Seattle SuperSonics | Kevin Durant | F | Texas |
| 3 | Atlanta Hawks | Al Horford | C | Florida |
| 4 | Memphis Grizzlies | Mike Conley | G | Ohio State |
| 5 | Boston Celtics | Jeff Green | F | Georgetown |
| 6 | Milwaukee Bucks | Yi Jianlian | F | China |
| 7 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Corey Brewer | F | Florida |
| 8 | Charlotte Bobcats | Brandan Wright | F | UNC (traded to Golden State Warriors) |
| 9 | Chicago Bulls | Joakim Noah | C | Florida |
| 10 | Sacramento Kings | Spencer Hawes | C | Washington |
| 11 | Atlanta Hawks | Acie Law | G | Texas A&M |
| 12 | Philadelphia 76ers | Thaddeus Young | F | Georgia Tech |
| 13 | New Orleans Hornets | Julian Wright | F | Kansas |
| 14 | Los Angeles Clippers | Al Thornton | F | Florida State |
| 15 | Detroit Pistons | Rodney Stuckey | G | Eastern Washington |
| 16 | Washington Wizards | Nick Young | G | USC |
| 17 | New Jersey Nets | Sean Williams | F | Boston College |
| 18 | Golden State Warriors | Marco Belinelli | G | Italy |
| 19 | Los Angeles Lakers | Javaris Crittenton | G | Georgia Tech |
| 20 | Miami Heat | Jason Smith | C | Colorado State |
| 21 | Philadelphia 76ers | Daequan Cook | G | Ohio State |
| 22 | Charlotte Bobcats | Jared Dudley | F | Boston College |
| 23 | New York Knicks | Wilson Chandler | F | DePaul (inducted into DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025)[37] |
| 24 | Phoenix Suns (traded to Portland Trail Blazers via Utah Jazz) | Rudy Fernández | G | Spain |
| 25 | Utah Jazz | Morris Almond | G | Rice |
| 26 | Houston Rockets | Aaron Brooks | G | Oregon |
| 27 | Detroit Pistons | Arron Afflalo | G | UCLA |
| 28 | San Antonio Spurs | Tiago Splitter | C | Brazil |
| 29 | Phoenix Suns | Alando Tucker | F | Wisconsin |
| 30 | Philadelphia 76ers | Petteri Koponen | G | Finland |
Second-Round Selections
The second round of the 2007 NBA draft featured 30 selections, often involving trades for future draft assets or cash considerations, and highlighted a mix of mid-major college standouts, international prospects, and under-the-radar college players with uncertain NBA futures. Unlike the first round's focus on high-upside lottery talent, these picks emphasized depth and potential role players, with teams frequently flipping rights immediately after selection.[1]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Seattle SuperSonics | Carl Landry | PF | Purdue | Traded to Houston Rockets on draft night for cash and future considerations; signed standard rookie contract. |
| 32 | Boston Celtics | Gabe Pruitt | PG | USC | Participated in Celtics' summer league; signed non-guaranteed contract. |
| 33 | San Antonio Spurs | Marcus Williams | SG | Arizona | Waived before season; played overseas. |
| 34 | Dallas Mavericks | Nick Fazekas | PF | Nevada | Traded to Los Angeles Clippers; signed with Clippers but released before regular season; played overseas. |
| 35 | Seattle SuperSonics | Glen Davis | PF | LSU | Traded to Boston Celtics in Ray Allen deal; signed with Celtics. |
| 36 | Golden State Warriors | Jermareo Davidson | PF | Alabama | Signed non-guaranteed deal; limited NBA play before overseas career. |
| 37 | Portland Trail Blazers | Josh McRoberts | PF | Duke | Signed with Blazers; 11-year NBA career as role player. |
| 38 | Philadelphia 76ers | Kyrylo Fesenko | C | Ukraine | Signed with 76ers; five NBA seasons as backup. |
| 39 | Miami Heat | Stanko Barać | C | Croatia | Rights traded to Indiana Pacers; never played in NBA, pursued European career. |
| 40 | Los Angeles Lakers | Sun Yue | SG | China | Joined Lakers but spent time in D-League and overseas; one NBA season. |
| 41 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Chris Richard | PF | Florida | Signed non-guaranteed contract; two NBA seasons. |
| 42 | Portland Trail Blazers | Derrick Byars | SG | Vanderbilt | Traded to Philadelphia 76ers; one NBA season before overseas. |
| 43 | New Orleans Hornets | Adam Haluska | SG | Iowa | Never played in NBA; overseas career. |
| 44 | Orlando Magic | Reyshawn Terry | SF | North Carolina | Never played in NBA; overseas and G League. |
| 45 | Los Angeles Clippers | Jared Jordan | PG | Marist | Never played in NBA; overseas career. |
| 46 | Golden State Warriors | Stéphane Lasme | PF | UMass | Signed with Warriors; one NBA season, then overseas success. |
| 47 | Washington Wizards | Dominic McGuire | SF | Fresno State | Signed with Wizards; six NBA seasons as role player. |
| 48 | Los Angeles Lakers | Marc Gasol | C | Spain | Traded to Memphis Grizzlies; 13-year highly successful career, including Defensive Player of the Year. |
| 49 | Chicago Bulls | Aaron Gray | C | Pittsburgh | Signed with Bulls; seven NBA seasons as backup center. |
| 50 | Dallas Mavericks | Renaldas Seibutis | SG | Lithuania | Never played in NBA; European career. |
| 51 | Chicago Bulls | JamesOn Curry | SG | Oklahoma State | Signed non-guaranteed contract; one NBA season. |
| 52 | Portland Trail Blazers | Taurean Green | PG | Florida | Signed with Blazers; one NBA season. |
| 53 | Portland Trail Blazers | Demetris Nichols | SF | Syracuse | Traded to New York Knicks; two NBA seasons. |
| 54 | Houston Rockets | Brad Newley | SG | Australia | Never played in NBA; overseas career. |
| 55 | Utah Jazz | Herbert Hill | PF | Providence | Never played in NBA; overseas. |
| 56 | Milwaukee Bucks | Ramon Sessions | PG | Nevada | Signed with Bucks; 11-year NBA career as reliable backup guard. |
| 57 | Detroit Pistons | Sammy Mejia | SG | DePaul | Never played in NBA; overseas. |
| 58 | San Antonio Spurs | Georgios Printezis | SF | Greece | Never played in NBA; prominent European career. |
| 59 | Phoenix Suns | D.J. Strawberry | SG | Maryland | Signed non-guaranteed contract; one NBA season. |
| 60 | Dallas Mavericks | Milovan Raković | C | Serbia | Never played in NBA; overseas. |