A pair of rookies named Smith gave Buffalo fans reason for a bright future. The Braves repeated their 22–60 record from their inaugural season, and occupied the Atlantic Division basement.[1] Elmore Smith and Randy Smith each had out standing rookie seasons with Elmore averaging 17.3 points per game and 15.2 rebounds per game, while Randy added 13.4 points per game.[1]
See main article: 1971 NBA draft.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Elmore Smith | Center | Kentucky State | ||
| 2 | 19 | Fred Hilton | Guard | Grambling | ||
| 2 | 26 | Amos Thomas | Forward | Southwestern Oklahoma | ||
| 2 | 30 | Spencer Haywood | Forward | Detroit Mercy | ||
| 4 | 53 | Jim O'Brien | Guard | Boston College | ||
| 5 | 70 | Garry Nelson | Forward | Duquesne | ||
| 6 | 87 | Glen Summors | Forward | Gannon | ||
| 7 | 104 | Randy Smith | Guard | Buffalo State | ||
| 8 | 121 | Craig Love | Center | Ohio | ||
| 9 | 138 | Gary Stewart | Forward | Canisius College | ||
| 10 | 154 | Don Ward | Guard | Colgate University | ||
| 11 | 170 | Bill Warner | Forward | Arizona | ||
| 12 | 184 | Butch Webster | Forward | LSU | ||
| 13 | 197 | Pete Smith | Forward | Valdosta | ||
| 14 | 209 | Ray Lavender | Center | |||
| 15 | 218 | William Chatmon | Forward | Baylor | ||
| 16 | 226 | James Douglas | Guard | Memphis | ||
| 17 | 230 | Nelson Isley | Guard | LSU | ||
| 18 | 233 | Joey Meyer | Guard | DePaul |