1981 NBA Draft Pick Transactions

yellow = data that is incomplete or uncertain

Overall # Round # Team Transactions Player Drafted
Round 1
1 1-1 Mavericks   Mark Aguirre
2 1-2 Pistons   Isiah Thomas
3 1-3 Nets   Buck Williams
4 1-4 Cavaliers > 76ers — Traded Terry Furlow to Cavaliers for 1981 first round pick (#4-Al Wood), 1983 first round pick (#3-Rodney McCray) on 1977-10-03 > Blazers — Traded Lionel Hollins to 76ers for 1981 first round pick (#4-Al Wood), cash on 1980-02-08 > Bulls — Traded Kelvin Ransey, 1981 first round pick (#16-Darnell Valentine) to Blazers for rights to Ronnie Lester, Bulls choice of Blazers 1981 first round pick, Cavaliers 1981 first round pick, or Blazers 1992 first round pick (1981 #4-Al Wood) on 1980-06-10 > Hawks — Traded 1981 first round pick (#6-Orlando Woolridge), 1982 second round pick (#26-Ricky Frazier), option to swap first round picks in 1982 (not exercised) to Bulls for 1981 first round pick (#4-Al Wood), 1981 second round pick (#38-Clyde Bradshaw) on 1981-06-08 Al Wood
5 1-5 Jazz > Sonics — Traded Slick Watts to Jazz for 1981 first round pick (#5-Danny Vranes) on 1978-01-04   Danny Vranes
6 1-6 Hawks > Bulls — Traded 1981 first round pick (#4-Al Wood), 1981 second round pick (#38-Clyde Bradshaw) to Hawks for 1981 first round pick (#6-Orlando Woolridge), 1982 second round pick (#26-Ricky Frazier), option to swap first round picks in 1982 (not exercised) on 1981-06-08   Orlando Woolridge
7 1-7 Sonics > Knicks — Received 1981 first round pick (#7-Steve Johnson) from Sonics in a modification of the compensation for the free agent Marvin Webster > Kings— Traded Bill Robinzine in 3-team trade with Cavaliers and Knicks for Joe C. Meriweather, 1981 first round pick (#7-Steve Johnson) on 1980-09-25   Steve Johnson
8 1-8 Clippers   Tom Chambers
9 1-9 Nuggets > Mavericks — Traded Kiki Vandeweghe, 1986 first round pick (#16-Maurice Martin) to Nuggets for 1981 first round pick (#9-Rolando Blackman), 1985 first round pick (#20-Sam Vincent) on 1980-12-10   Rolando Blackman
10 1-10 Warriors > Blazers — Traded 1978 first round pick (#22-Ray Townsend) to Warriors for 1981 first round pick (#10-Albert King) on 1978-06-07 > Nets — Traded Calvin Natt to Blazers for Maurice Lucas, 1980 first round pick (#7-Mike Gminski), 1981 first round pick (#10-Albert King) on 1980-02-08   Albert King
11 1-11 Bullets   Frank Johnson
12 1-12 Kings > Pistons — Received 1981 first round pick (#12-Kelly Tripuka), cash from Kings as compensation for the 1980-06-12 signing of free agent Leon Douglas   Kelly Tripucka
13 1-13 Rockets > Jazz — Traded Slick Watts to Rockets for 1981 first round pick (#13-Danny Schayes) on 1978-09-21   Danny Schayes
14 1-14 Pacers   Herb Williams
15 1-15 Blazers   Jeff Lamp
16 1-16 Bulls > Blazers — Traded rights to Ronnie Lester, Bulls choice of Blazers 1981 first round pick, Cavaliers 1981 first round pick, or Blazers 1992 first round pick (1981 #4-Al Wood) to Bulls for Kelvin Ransey, 1981 first round pick (#16-Darnell Valentine) on 1980-06-10   Darnell Valentine
17 1-17 Knicks > Cavaliers — Traded Randy Smith to Knicks for 1981 first round pick (#17-Kevin Loder) on 1981-05-20 > Kings — Traded 1981 second round pick (#36-Ray Blume) and agreed to not exercise their right of first refusal on free agent Scott Wedman to Cavaliers for 1981 first round pick (#17-Kevin Loder) on 1981-06-09   Kevin Loder
18 1-18 Spurs > Nets — Received 1981 first round pick (#18-Ray Tolbert) from Spurs as compensation for the Nets signing of free agent George Johnson 1980-08-15   Ray Tolbert
19 1-19 Lakers   Mike McGee
20 1-20 Suns   Larry Nance
21 1-21 Bucks   Alton Lister
22 1-22 76ers   Franklin Edwards
23 1-23 Celtics   Charles Bradley
Round 2
24 2-1 Mavericks   Jay Vincent
25 2-2 Pistons > Celtics — Traded Earl Tatum to Detroit for Chris Ford, 1981 second round pick (#25-Tracy Jackson) on 1978-10-19   Tracy Jackson
26 2-3 Nets > Pacers — Traded John Williamson to Nets for Bob Carrington, 1980 second round pick (#29-Louis Orr), 1981 second round pick (#25-Brian Jackson) on 1978-01-27 > Blazers — Traded Clemon Johnson to Pacers for 1981 second round pick (#26-Brian Jackson) on 1979-10-09   Brian Jackson
27 2-4 Jazz   Howard Wood
28 2-5 Cavaliers > Lakers — Traded Kenny Carr to Cavaliers for 1980 second round pick (#31-Wayne Robinson), 1981 second round pick (#28-Gene Banks) on 1979-10-24 > Bulls — Traded Mark Landsberger to Lakers for Oliver Mack, 1980 second round pick (#26-Sam Worthen), 1981 second round pick (#28-Gene Banks) on 1980-02-13 > Spurs — Awarded two 1981 second round picks (#28-Gene Banks) (#30-Ed Rains), cash from Bulls on 1980-09-12 as compensation for free agent Larry Kenon   Gene Banks
29 2-6 Hawks > Jazz — Traded Ron Lee to Hawks for 1980 second round pick (#41-Jawann Oldham), 1981 second round pick (#29-Eddie Johnson), future considerations (?) on 1979-10-10

> Hawks — Traded Terry Furlow to Jazz for 1981 second round pick (#29-Eddie Johnson), 1982 second round pick (#26-Ricky Frazier), future considerations (?) on 1979-11-23

> Kings — Awarded 1981 second round pick (#29-Eddie Johnson), cash from Hawks on 1980-11-03 as compensation for free agent Tom Burleson   Eddie Johnson
30 2-7 Sonics > Bulls — Awarded 1981 second round pick (#30-Ed Rains) from Sonics on 1980-08-08 as compensation for free agent Dennis Awtrey > Spurs — Awarded two 1981 second round picks (#28-Gene Banks) (#30-Ed Rains), cash from Bulls on 1980-09-12 as compensation for free agent Larry Kenon   Ed Rains
31 2-8 Clippers > Celtics — Traded Kevin Kunnert, Kermit Washington, rights to Freeman Williams, future considerations (Sidney Wicks on 08-15) to Clippers for Nate Archibald, Marvin Barnes, Billy Knight, 1981 second round pick (#31-Danny Ainge), 1983 second round pick (#28-Rod Foster) on 1978-08-15   Danny Ainge
32 2-9 Nuggets > Bulls — Traded the rights to Cedric Hordges to Nuggets for a 1981 second round pick (#32-Mike Olliver) on 1980-06-09   Mike Olliver
33 2-10 Bullets > Warriors — Traded Jeff Ruland to Bullets for 1981 second round pick (#33-Sam Williams) on 1980-06-10   Sam Williams
34 2-11 Warriors > Jazz — Traded Bernard King to Warriors for Wayne Cooper, 1981 second round pick (#34-Kenneth Green) on 1980-09-11 > Nuggets — Traded Robert Smith to Jazz for 1980 third round pick (#48-Eddie Lee), 1981 second round pick (#34-Kenneth Green) on 1979-10-09   Kenneth Green
35 2-12 Rockets > Bullets— Traded Elvin Hayes to Rockets for 1981 second round pick (#35-Charles Davis), 1983 second round pick (#25-Sidney Lowe) on 1981-06-08   Charles Davis
36 2-13 Kings > Cavaliers — Traded 1981 first round pick (#17-Kevin Loder) for 1981 second round pick (#36-Ray Blume) and agreed to not exercise their right of first refusal on free agent Scott Wedman to Cavaliers on 1981-06-09 > Pacers — Traded 1981 second round pick (#36-Ray Blume), 1982 second round pick (#40-Guy Morgan) to Cavaliers for Pacers agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal over veteran free agent James Edwards on 1981-06-08   Ray Blume
37 2-14 Pacers > Suns — Traded Don Buse to Pacers for 1981 second round pick (#37-Al Leslie), 1982 second round pick (#43-Jose Slaughter) on 1980-11-25 > Pacers — Traded Dudley Bradley to Suns for 1981 second round pick (#37-Al Leslie), 1982 second round pick (#43-Jose Slaughter) on 1981-06-08   Al Leslie
38 2-15 Bulls > Hawks — Traded 1981 first round pick (#6-Orlando Woolridge), 1982 second round pick (#26-Ricky Frazier), option to swap first round picks in 1982 (not exercised) to Bulls for 1981 first round pick (#4-Al Wood), 1981 second round pick (#38-Clyde Bradshaw) on 1981-06-08   Clyde Bradshaw
39 2-16 Blazers > Pistons — Traded Jim Brewer to Blazers for 1981 second round pick (#39-Harvey Knuckles) on 1979-09-18 > Lakers — Traded Wayne Robinson to Pistons for a 1981 second round pick (#39-Harvey Knuckles) on 1980-10-02   Harvey Knuckles
40 2-17 Knicks   Greg Cook
41 2-18 Spurs > Bullets — Traded Dave Corzine to Spurs for 1981 second round pick (#41-Claude Gregory), 1982 second round pick (#41-Dwight Anderson) on 1980-09-26   Claude Gregory
42 2-19 Lakers   Elvis Rolle
43 2-20 Suns > Mavericks — Traded Wiley Peck to Suns for 1981 second round pick (#43-Elston Turner), future considerations (?) on 1980-06-09   Elston Turner
44 2-21 Bucks > Kings — Received 1981 second round pick (#44-Steve Lingenfelter) from Bucks on 1980-06-20 as compensation for free agent Len Elmore > Nets — Traded Cliff Robinson to Kings for Otis Birdsong, 1981 second round pick (#44-Steve Lingenfelter) on 1981-06-08 > Bullets — Traded Roger Phegley to Nets for John Williamson, second round pick (1981 #44-Steve Lingenfelter) on 1980-02-04   Steve Lingenfelter
45 2-22 Celtics > Rockets — Awarded 1981 second round pick (#45-Ed Turner), cash from Celtics on 1978-06-28 for free agent Kevin Kunnert   Ed Turner
46 2-23 76ers   Vernon Smith
Round 3
47 3-1 Mavericks   Art Housey
48 3-2 Pistons > Bullets — Awarded 1981 third round pick (#48-Mike Ferrara), 1983 second round pick (#32-Michael Britt) from Pistons on 1980-11-12 as compensation for free agent Larry Wright   Mike Ferrara
49 3-3 Nets   David Burns
50 3-4 Cavaliers > Blazers — Traded Willie Smith to Cavaliers for 1981 third round pick (#50-Derek Holcomb) on 1979-08-24   Derek Holcomb
51 3-5 Jazz > Lakers — Traded Ron Boone to Jazz for 1981 third round pick (#51-Zam Fredrick), future considerations (?) on 1979-10-25   Zam Fredrick
52 3-6 Hawks   Rudy Macklin
53 3-7 Sonics   Mark Radford
54 3-8 Clippers   Jim Smith
55 3-9 Nuggets > Cavaliers — Traded Dave Robisch to Nuggets for Kim Hughes, 1981 third round pick (#55-Mickey Dillard), 1982 second round pick (#40-Guy Morgan), future considerations (?) on 1980-10-30   Mickey Dillard
56 3-10 Warriors   Carlton Neverson
57 3-11 Bullets > Knicks — Traded Jim Cleamons to Bullets for 1981 third round pick (#57-Frank Brickowski) on 1979-12-04   Frank Brickowski
58 3-12 Kings   Curtis Berry
59 3-13 Rockets > Cavaliers — Awarded 1981 third round pick (#59-Russell Bowers) from Rockets as compensation for Rockets signing of free agent Bill Willoughby on 1980-11-27   Russell Bowers
60 3-14 Pacers   Purvis Miller
61 3-15 Blazers   Petur Gudmundsson
62 3-16 Bulls

> Clippers — Traded Scott Lloyd to Bulls for 1981 third round pick (#62-Sam Clancy) on 1978-10-26

> Suns — Received 1981 third round pick (#62-Sam Clancy), 1983 third round pick (#51-Derek Whittenburg) from Clippers on 1981-02-03 as compensation for free agent Garfield Heard   Sam Clancy
63 3-17 Knicks   Wayne McKoy
64 3-18 Spurs   Tom Baker
65 3-19 Lakers   Ron Cornelius
66 3-20 Suns   Craig Dykema
67 3-21 Bucks   Mark Smith
68 3-22 76ers   Ernest Graham
69 3-23 Celtics   John Johnson
Round 4
70 4-1 Mavericks   Eddie Moss
71 4-2 Pistons   John May
72 4-3 Nets   Edmund Sherod
73 4-4 Jazz   George Torres
74 4-5 Cavaliers   Ethan Martin
75 4-6 Hawks   Kevin Figaro
76 4-7 Sonics > Warriors — Traded Rudy White to Sonics for 1981 fourth round pick (#76-Lewis Lloyd) on 1980-11-03   Lewis Lloyd
77 4-8 Clippers   Lee Raker
78 4-9 Nuggets > Kings — Traded rights to Geoff Crompton (who had been a fourth round pick in the 1978 draft) to Nuggets for 1981 fourth round pick (#78-Kenny Dennard) on 1978-07-10   Kenny Dennard
79 4-10 Bullets   Ron Davis
80 4-11 Warriors   Terry Adolph
81 4-12 Rockets   Larry Spriggs
82 4-13 Kings   B.B. Davis
83 4-14 Pacers   Rolando Frazier
84 4-15 Bulls   Oliver Lee
85 4-16 Blazers   Peter Verhoeven
86 4-17 Knicks   Alex Bradley
87 4-18 Spurs   Earl Belcher
88 4-19 Lakers   Kevin McKenna
89 4-20 Suns > Pistons — Traded Andre Wakefield to Suns for 1981 fourth round pick (#89-Don Koonce) on 1979-08-20   Don Koonce
90 4-21 Bucks   Kris Anderson
91 4-22 Celtics   Stanley Williams
92 4-23 76ers   Rynn Wright
Round 5
93 5-1 Mavericks   Pete Budko
94 5-2 Pistons   George DeVone
95 5-3 Nets   Joe Cooper
96 5-4 Cavaliers   Ken Page
97 5-5 Jazz   Mike Clark
98 5-6 Hawks   Steve Krafscisin
99 5-7 Sonics   Andra Griffin
100 5-8 Clippers   Dennis Isbell
101 5-9 Nuggets   Willie Sims
102 5-10 Warriors   Hank McDowell
103 5-11 Bullets   Garry Witts
104 5-12 Kings   U.S. Reed
105 5-13 Rockets   Hasan Houston
106 5-14 Pacers   George Peterson
107 5-15 Blazers   Herb Andrew
108 5-16 Bulls   Johnny Nash
109 5-17 Knicks   Jim Wright
110 5-18 Spurs   Mike Rhodes
111 5-19 Lakers   Craig Watts
112 5-20 Suns   Paul Heuerman
113 5-21 Bucks   Kelvin Troy
114 5-22 76ers   Steve Craig
115 5-23 Celtics   Glen Grunwald
Round 6
116 6-1 Mavericks   Karl Bakowski
117 6-2 Pistons   Vince Brookins
118 6-3 Nets   Kevin Lynam
119 6-4 Jazz   Kevin Sprewer
120 6-5 Cavaliers   Aaron Strayhorn
121 6-6 Hawks   Darryl Warwick
122 6-7 Sonics   Earl Banks
123 6-8 Clippers   Mike Pepper
124 6-9 Nuggets   Alonzo Weatherley
125 6-10 Bullets   Robert Williams
126 6-11 Warriors   Carter Scott
127 6-12 Rockets   Fred Cowan
128 6-13 Kings   Brian Walker
129 6-14 Pacers   Robert Fronk
130 6-15 Bulls   Roger Burkman
131 6-16 Blazers   Roshern Arnie
132 6-17 Knicks   John Blair
133 6-18 Spurs   Norman Shavers
134 6-19 Lakers   Kevin Singleton
135 6-20 Suns   Pete Harris
136 6-21 Bucks   Jo Jo Hunter
137 6-22 Celtics   Steve Waite
138 6-23 76ers   Michael Thomas
Round 7
139 7-1 Mavericks   Davis North
140 7-2 Pistons   Greg Nance
141 7-3 Nets   Rod Robertson
142 7-4 Cavaliers   Andre Smith
143 7-5 Jazz   Mike Robinson
144 7-6 Hawks   Kevin Vesey
145 7-7 Sonics   Tom Sienkiewicz
146 7-8 Clippers   Randy Johnson
147 7-9 Nuggets   Greg Manning
148 7-10 Warriors   Robby Dosty
149 7-11 Bullets   Randy Martel
150 7-12 Kings   Clinton Wheeler
151 7-13 Rockets   Joe Faine
152 7-14 Pacers   Larry McKinney
153 7-15 Blazers   Julius Wayne
154 7-16 Bulls   Scott Williams
155 7-17 Knicks   Terry Cramer
156 7-18 Spurs   Mark Minderman
157 7-19 Lakers   Larry Petty
158 7-20 Suns   David Williams
159 7-21 Bucks   Lewis Latimore
160 7-22 76ers   John Crawford
161 7-23 Celtics   Tom Seaman
Round 8
162 8-1 Mavericks   David Kennedy
163 8-2 Pistons   Joe Schoen
164 8-3 Nets   Ken Webb
165 8-4 Jazz   Bob Cattage
166 8-5 Cavaliers   Glen Marcus
167 8-6 Hawks   Gilbert Salinas
168 8-7 Clippers   Todd Haynes
169 8-8 Nuggets   Curtis Redding
170 8-9 Bullets   Mike Howard
171 8-10 Warriors   Yasutaka Okayama
172 8-11 Rockets   Stanley Brewer
173 8-12 Kings   Randy Smithson
174 8-13 Pacers   Len Hatzenbeller
175 8-14 Bulls   Ben Mitchell
176 8-15 Blazers   John Smith
177 8-16 Knicks   Brian O'Connor
178 8-17 Spurs   Bob Bartholomew
179 8-18 Lakers   Jay Triano
180 8-19 Suns   Steve Risley
181 8-20 Bucks   Mike Brkovich
182 8-21 Celtics   George Morrow
183 8-22 76ers   Frank Gilroy
Round 9
184 9-1 Mavericks   John Hollinden
185 9-2 Pistons   Eddie Baker
186 9-3 Nets   Rudy Williams
187 9-4 Cavaliers   Paul Roba
188 9-5 Jazz   Ken Ollie
189 9-6 Hawks   Howard Thompkins
190 9-7 Clippers   Art Jones
191 9-8 Nuggets   Andrew Burton
192 9-9 Warriors   Doug Murrey
193 9-10 Bullets   Eddie Brown
194 9-11 Kings   Mike Perry
195 9-12 Pacers   Scott Whitley
196 9-13 Blazers   Sid Williams
197 9-14 Bulls   Terry Martin
198 9-15 Knicks   Marty Headd
199 9-16 Spurs   Leonel Marquetti
200 9-17 Suns   Brian Johnson
201 9-18 Bucks   Chip Rucker
202 9-19 76ers   Ron Wister
203 9-20 Celtics   Greg McCray
Round 10
204 10-1 Mavericks   Scott Bolanko
205 10-2 Pistons   Melvin Maxwell
206 10-3 Nets   Vic Sison
207 10-4 Jazz   Joe Merten
208 10-5 Cavaliers   Greg Boone
209 10-6 Hawks   Mike Frazier
210 10-7 Clippers   Tony Gwynn
211 10-8 Nuggets   Derrick Rowland
212 10-9 Bullets   Ralton Way
213 10-10 Warriors   Barry Brooks
214 10-11 Kings   Mark Wilson
215 10-12 Pacers   Rodney Benson
216 10-13 Bulls   Kenny Easley
217 10-14 Blazers   Steve Cochran
218 10-15 Knicks   Kevin Rogers
219 10-16 Spurs   Alvin Brooks
220 10-17 Suns   Felton Sealey
221 10-18 Bucks   Artie Green
222 10-19 Celtics   Ken Matthews
223 10-20 76ers   Pete Mullenberg