1980 NBA draft

The first two picks in the draft belonged to the teams that finished last in each conference, with the order determined by a coin flip.

The remaining first-round picks and the subsequent rounds were assigned to teams in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season.

An expansion franchise, the Dallas Mavericks, took part in the NBA Draft for the first time and were assigned the eleventh pick in each round.

[7] McHale was also named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.

[18] Kurt Rambis, the 58th pick, who played nine years for the Los Angeles Lakers, served as the team's interim head coach in 1999.

[19] Two other players, Kiki Vandeweghe and Kenny Natt, had brief spells as interim head coaches in the NBA, each of which lasted less than one season.

[50] Bobby Turner of the Louisville Cardinals was granted an exemption to stay eligible for the draft despite him not declaring after he dropped out prior to his senior season (with him ultimately being selected by the New York Knicks in the seventh round this year).

A man, wearing a gray suit and white shirt, is standing and posing for a photo.
Darrell Griffith was selected second overall by the Utah Jazz .
Kevin McHale (green shirt) was selected third overall by the Boston Celtics .
Mike O'Koren was selected sixth overall by the New Jersey Nets .
Mike Woodson was selected 12th overall by the New York Knicks .
alt=A man, wearing a black and white shirt, is holding several tickets in his hands.
Rick Mahorn was selected 35th overall by the Washington Bullets .
Terry Stotts was selected 38th overall by the Houston Rockets .
A man, wearing a black suit, blue shirt and red tie, is standing in the middle of a huddle.
Kurt Rambis was selected 58th overall by the New York Knicks .
A man, wearing a black suit and white shirt, is standing on a podium while giving a speech.
Rory Sparrow was selected 75th overall by the New Jersey Nets .