1970 NBA expansion draft explained
The 1970 NBA expansion draft was the fifth expansion draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 11, 1970, so that the newly founded Buffalo Braves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers could acquire players for the 1970–71 season.[1] Buffalo, Cleveland, and Portland were awarded the expansion teams on February 6, 1970.[2] Houston was also awarded a franchise, but the group backing the team was unable to come up with the down payment on the million entrance fee that was required before the 1970 NBA draft.[3] The Braves later underwent two relocations, moving to San Diego in 1978 and changing their name from the Braves to the Clippers, and then relocating to Los Angeles in 1984.[4] They are currently known as the Los Angeles Clippers.[5]
In an NBA expansion draft, new NBA teams are allowed to acquire players from the previously established teams in the league. Not all players on a given team are available during an expansion draft, since each team can protect a certain number of players from being selected. In this draft, each of the other fourteen NBA teams protected seven players from their roster. After each round, after all of the expansion teams had selected one player, each of the existing teams added another player to their protected list. In the first round, the Braves had the first pick, while the Blazers and the Cavaliers had the second and the third picks respectively. In the subsequent rounds, the Braves and the Cavaliers exchanged their order of selection, while the Blazers had the second pick throughout the draft. The draft continued until all three teams had selected eleven unprotected players each, while the existing teams had lost two or three players each.[6]
The Buffalo Braves were formed and owned by local businessman Paul Snyder.[7] He hired former Philadelphia 76ers head coach and Coach of the Year Dolph Schayes as the franchise's first head coach.[8] The Braves' selections included six-time All-Star Bailey Howell. Howell was immediately traded to the 76ers, however, in exchange for Bob Kauffman and a future second-round pick.[9] Nine players from the draft joined the Braves for their inaugural season, but only three played more than one season for the team.[10] [11]
The Cleveland Cavaliers were formed and owned by businessman Nick Mileti.[12] He hired former college basketball coach Bill Fitch as the franchise's first head coach.[13] The Cavaliers' selections included five-time All-Star Don Ohl and one-time All-Star Len Chappell. Ohl retired from playing prior to the start of the season, however, and Chappell only played briefly before he was waived.[14] [15] Eight players from the draft joined the Cavaliers for their inaugural season, but only four played more than one season for the team.[16] [17] Butch Beard was the ninth player from the expansion draft to play for the Cavaliers. He joined the team for the 1971–72 season after serving for a year in the military.[18] Bingo Smith played nine and a half seasons with the Cavaliers before he was traded to the San Diego Clippers in 1979.[19] He was the franchise's leader in games played when he left, a record that stood until 2000 when Danny Ferry broke it.[20]
The Portland Trail Blazers were formed by Harry Glickman, who created the franchise through the financiers turned co-owners Larry Weinberg, Herman Sarkowsky and Robert Shmertz.[21] They hired former college basketball coach Rolland Todd as the franchise's first head coach.[22] The Blazers' selections included former first overall pick Fred Hetzel and former third pick Larry Siegfried. Hetzel was waived without playing a game for the Blazers, however, and Siegfried was immediately traded to the San Diego Rockets in exchange for Jim Barnett.[23] [24] [25] Six players from the draft joined the Blazers for their inaugural season, but only three played more than one season for the team.[26] [27] The Blazers also selected Pat Riley, who never played for the team, but went on to have a Hall of Fame coaching career, enshrined in 2008.[28] [29] [30]
Selections
Source:
scope=col style="width:50%;" | Abbreviation | scope=col style="width:50%;" | Position |
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scope=row align=center | G | Guard |
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scope=row align=center | F | Forward |
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scope=row align=center | C | Center | |
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Notes and References
- Web site: bhussey . April 14, 2004 . All-Time Expansion Draft Results . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170314213257/https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html . March 14, 2017 . February 28, 2024 . . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- News: February 7, 1970 . N.B.A. Adds Cleveland, Houston, Buffalo, Portland, Ore. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220220234641/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/07/archives/nba-adds-cleveland-houston-buffalo-portland-ore-knicks-win-13592.html . February 20, 2022 . February 28, 2024 . .
- News: March 21, 1970 . Houston, New Team in N.B.A., Folds While It's Still on Paper . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208124851/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/21/archives/houston-new-team-in-nba-folds-while-its-still-on-paper.html . February 8, 2020 . January 27, 2024 . .
- News: Legare . Andrew . December 20, 2023 . Former Elmirans take readers into Buffalo's NBA past with book on Braves . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229024737/https://www.stargazette.com/story/sports/2023/12/20/writers-from-elmira-chronicle-history-of-the-nbas-buffalo-braves/71899107007/ . February 29, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . . Star Tribune Media Company LLC.
- Web site: This Date in History–February . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208131836/https://www.nba.com/news/history-this-date-in-nba-feb . December 8, 2021 . January 27, 2024 . . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- News: Recht . Mike . May 7, 1970 . Pro Basketball Draft Slated . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160512184049/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vQgeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wUYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7096,1783617 . May 12, 2016 . March 21, 2010 . Daily News.
- Web site: Clippers: 1970–71 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121105141855/http://www.nba.com/clippers/history/Clippers_History__Buffalo-53157-111.html . November 5, 2012 . March 22, 2010 . . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- Web site: Dolph Schayes Bio . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201217053719/https://www.nba.com/history/players/schayes_bio.html . December 17, 2020 . March 22, 2010 . . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- Web site: Clippers: All-Time Transactions . https://web.archive.org/web/20100319232102/http://www.nba.com/clippers/history/transactions.html . March 19, 2010 . March 22, 2010 . . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- Web site: 1970–71 Buffalo Braves Roster and Stats . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230514203715/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BUF/1971.html . May 14, 2023 . January 31, 2023 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: 1971–72 Buffalo Braves Roster and Stats . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129021234/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BUF/1972.html . November 29, 2023 . January 31, 2023 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Davis . Dave . February 24, 2010 . The Cleveland Cavaliers were born 40 years ago this month when the NBA voted to give Cleveland a team: Our weekly photo flashback . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100402094720/http://www.cleveland.com/plain-dealer-library/index.ssf/2010/02/the_cleveland_cavaliers_were_born_40_years_ago_this_month_when_the_nba_voted_to_give_cleveland_a_tea.html . April 2, 2010 . March 22, 2010 . . Cleveland Live, Inc.
- Web site: Dean . Dan . The Storm That Passed . https://web.archive.org/web/20100320003604/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/history/storm_passed.html . March 20, 2010 . March 22, 2010 . . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- Web site: Don Ohl Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110807030051/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/ohldo01.html . August 7, 2011 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Len Chappell Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201129012538/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chapple01.html . November 29, 2020 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: 1970–71 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201023112653/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1971.html . October 23, 2020 . February 28, 2024 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: 1971–72 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102002527/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1972.html . November 2, 2020 . February 28, 2024 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- News: August 10, 1971 . Cavaliers Say Butch Beard Available . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160424042500/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xcYaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n0YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6333,5995152 . April 24, 2016 . March 30, 2010 . Daily News.
- Web site: Bingo Smith Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100618040606/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithbi02.html . June 18, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- News: Finnan . Bob . April 17, 2000 . Cavs fall to lackluster Hawks . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229071903/https://www.morningjournal.com/2000/04/17/cavs-fall-to-lackluster-hawks/ . February 29, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . . Ogden Newspapers.
- News: Eggers, Kerry . January 31, 2013 . The original Trail Blazer . https://web.archive.org/web/20180920162550/https://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/127501-the-original-trail-blazer . September 20, 2018 . March 22, 2013 . . Pamplin Media Group.
- Web site: History of the Portland Trail Blazers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100319124804/http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/history_main.html . March 19, 2010 . March 22, 2010 . . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- Web site: Fred Hetzel Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100427004536/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hetzefr01.html . April 27, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Larry Siegfried Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100508193305/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/siegfla01.html . May 8, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Jim Barnett Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201123014010/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barneji02.html . November 23, 2020 . March 22, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: 1970–71 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230514072543/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1971.html . May 14, 2023 . January 30, 2024 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: 1971–72 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120011601/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1972.html . January 20, 2024 . January 30, 2024 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: April 28, 2008 . Riley Timeline: NBA playing days . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210817024111/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=RileyTimeline-1970s . August 17, 2021 . February 29, 2024 . . ESPN Inc..
- Web site: Pat Riley . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214202933/https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/pat-riley/ . February 14, 2024 . February 29, 2024 . Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Web site: April 7, 2008 . Heat coach Pat Riley among 2008 Basketball Hall of Fame class . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229180808/https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=3334726 . February 29, 2024 . February 29, 2024 . . ESPN Inc..
- Web site: Em Bryant Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20111031151407/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanem01.html . October 31, 2011 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Freddie Crawford Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100623093600/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/crawffr01.html . June 23, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Dick Garrett Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090706072523/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garredi01.html . July 6, 2009 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Herm Gilliam Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090412113523/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gillihe01.html . April 12, 2009 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Bill Hosket Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611071644/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoskebi01.html . June 11, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Bailey Howell Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100524015658/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howelba01.html . May 24, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Paul Long Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613161240/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/longpa01.html . June 13, 2018 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Mike Lynn Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130204427/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lynnmi01.html . November 30, 2020 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Don May Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611072019/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/maydo01.html . June 11, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Ray Scott Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130117200251/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scottra01.html . January 17, 2013 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: George Wilson Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100507103456/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wilsoge01.html . May 7, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Butch Beard Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110303163109/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/beardbu01.html . March 3, 2011 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Johnny Egan Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100403091339/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/eganjo01.html . April 3, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Bobby Lewis Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200702134935/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lewisbo01.html . July 2, 2020 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: McCoy McLemore Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100505142655/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mclemmc01.html . May 5, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Loy Petersen Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190615181340/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/peterlo01.html . June 15, 2019 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Luther Rackley Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200620035501/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rackllu01.html . June 20, 2020 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: John Warren Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100505175824/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/warrejo01.html . May 5, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Walt Wesley Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100701121035/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/weslewa01.html . July 1, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Rick Adelman Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100616150729/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adelmri01.html . June 16, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Jerry Chambers Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20091003120006/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chambje01.html . October 3, 2009 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Leroy Ellis Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20111024074959/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ellisle01.html . October 24, 2011 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Joe Kennedy Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100527142812/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kennejo01.html . May 27, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Ed Manning Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001164441/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mannied01.html . October 1, 2020 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Stan McKenzie Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100528032935/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mckenst01.html . May 28, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Dorie Murrey Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100306082232/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murredo01.html . March 6, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Pat Riley Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100714064203/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rileypa01.html . July 14, 2010 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Dale Schlueter Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20091117111104/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schluda01.html . November 17, 2009 . June 4, 2010 . Basketball Reference . Sports Reference LLC.