2007 NBA draft

2007 NBA draft
source
Name	2007 NBA draft
Date	June 28, 2007
Location	Madison Square Garden, New York City
League	National Basketball Association
Overall	60
First	Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
Prev	2006
Next	2008

2007 NBA draft.

The 2007 NBA draft was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City and conducted by the National Basketball Association. The event featured prospects from NCAA Division I men's basketball, international leagues such as the EuroLeague and Liga ACB, and developmental programs including NBA G League affiliates and national federations like USA Basketball. Major storylines included the selection of center Greg Oden by the Portland Trail Blazers and guard Kevin Durant by the Seattle SuperSonics, amid lottery controversies involving the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns.

Background and draft lottery

The draft lottery determined the order for the top 14 selections and involved teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors. The lottery followed rules established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the National Basketball Players Association and the National Basketball Association; odds favored teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and the Indiana Pacers. High-school prospect evaluations referenced programs including Oak Hill Academy, while international scouting looked to clubs like Real Madrid Baloncesto and Panathinaikos B.C..

Draft selections

The first overall pick was center Greg Oden (Ohio State Buckeyes) selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. The second pick was guard Kevin Durant (University of Texas) chosen by the Seattle SuperSonics. Other lottery selections included guard Joakim Noah (University of Florida) to the Chicago Bulls, wing Al Horford (Florida) to the Atlanta Hawks, and forward Corey Brewer (Florida) to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The draft class included notable players from programs like University of North Carolina, Duke University, University of Connecticut, and international backgrounds such as Milan, Fenerbahçe, and CSKA Moscow. Rookies who would become All-Stars and award winners emerged alongside role players who carved careers with teams including the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs.

Trades and draft-day transactions

Multiple draft-day trades reshaped rosters: the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics executed moves involving the first two picks; the Chicago Bulls engaged in transactions with the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets; the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks negotiated swaps affecting their lottery positions. Trades incorporated future draft picks from franchises like the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Front offices led by executives such as Kevin Pritchard and Danny Ainge navigated salary cap implications under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Combine and pre-draft process

Prospects participated in the NBA Draft Combine and individual workouts hosted by franchises including the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and Houston Rockets. Measurements and medical exams evaluated players from Duke Blue Devils, University of Kansas, Syracuse Orange, and international clubs like FC Barcelona Bàsquet. Scouting reports referenced performances at events such as the McDonald's All-American Game, the Nike Hoop Summit, and EuroBasket competitions. Agents representing prospects worked with teams and organizations like the National Basketball Players Association to advise on draft eligibility and draft withdrawal deadlines.

Notable undrafted players

Several prospects went undrafted but later signed with NBA teams or pursued careers overseas, joining organizations such as D-League affiliates, Boulazac Basket Dordogne, BC Khimki, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Undrafted players later appeared in rosters for the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, and Philadelphia 76ers, while others became mainstays in international competitions like the FIBA World Championship.

Impact and legacy

The class influenced team-building strategies for franchises including the Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics (later Oklahoma City Thunder), Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks. Careers of top picks affected playoff trajectories involving the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks and shaped front-office decisions by executives such as Rudy Tomjanovich and Isiah Thomas. The draft accelerated discussions about drafting age and the one-and-done rule in collegiate basketball, prompting legislative and organizational debates involving NCAA leadership and the National Basketball Players Association. Long-term legacies included international scouting expansion across leagues like the EuroLeague and increased emphasis on medical evaluations influenced by cases of injury-prone prospects.

Category:National Basketball Association drafts Category:2007 in basketball Category:2007 in sports in New York City