The draft was held on April 26, 1961, so that the newly founded Chicago Packers could acquire players for the upcoming 1961–62 season.
[3][4] The Packers selected eight unprotected players, one from each of the other NBA teams.
Their selections included former second overall pick Archie Dees from the Detroit Pistons.
However, he and Barney Cable only played briefly for the Packers before he was traded to the St. Louis Hawks in exchange for former first overall pick Sihugo Green, one-time All-Star Woody Sauldsberry and Joe Graboski.
He was traded in exchange for former second overall pick Charlie Tyra and Bob McNeill.