8. 1974
Bill Walton was the big prize in this draft, though it took a few frustrating years before the Portland Trail Blazers got their reward: an NBA title. On that championship team was power forward Maurice Lucas, who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1974, but chose to play in the ABA. In the 1976 ABA dispersal draft, the Trail Blazers worked a deal so that they could draft Lucas. The Cavaliers made out well by adding both Campy Russell and Foots Walker, while other quality players like Jamaal Wilkes, Truck Robinson, Bobby Jones, Scott Wedman and Brian Winters also joined the league. One other ABA signee who later shined was Phoenix Suns’ draftee George Gervin. However, the Iceman was already playing for San Antonio Spurs, who later joined the NBA in the 1976 merger.
