High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1996 NBA Draft was the 50th draft in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was held on June 26, 1996 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the Turner Network Television. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues. The Vancouver Grizzlies had the highest probability to win the NBA Draft Lottery, but since they were an expansion team along with the Toronto Raptors, they were not allowed to select first in this draft. The team with the second highest probability, the Philadelphia 76ers won the lottery and obtained the first selection. The Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies were second and third respectively.