The player selected would also be the third consecutive number one pick on the Timberwolves roster, joining Andrew Wiggins (2014) and Anthony Bennett (2013) - who were traded to Minnesota for forward Kevin Love.

The draft was conducted under the eligibility rules established in the league's new 2011 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its players union.

After this date, "early entry" players may attend NBA pre-draft camps and individual team workouts to show off their skills and obtain feedback regarding their draft positions.

[62] Under NCAA rules at that time, players only had until April 16 to withdraw from the draft and maintain their college eligibility.

[63] The aforementioned 2016 NCAA rule change also allowed players to declare for more than one draft without losing college eligibility.

The table below shows each non-playoff team's chances (based on their record at the end of the NBA season) of receiving picks 1–14.

[84] The NBA commissioner will announce the selection and the player, wearing a basketball cap sporting the team's logo, comes up to the stage to be congratulated and presented to the audience.

Other players who are not invited are allowed to attend the ceremony, sit in the stands with the fans and walk up on stage when (or if) they are drafted.

[89] The 19 players who accepted invitations to attend the draft were Devin Booker, Willie Cauley-Stein, Sam Dekker, Jerian Grant, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Stanley Johnson, Frank Kaminsky, Kevon Looney, Trey Lyles, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jahlil Okafor, Kelly Oubre Jr., Cameron Payne, Bobby Portis, Kristaps Porziņģis, D'Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Myles Turner, and Justise Winslow.

[90] International prospect Mario Hezonja did not attend because he was still involved with his then-team FC Barcelona at the time.