1973 NBA Trades

Indiana earned a modest hindsight edge over San Antonio Spurs, with Bob Netolicky providing the better realized return.

The long-term value clearly favored Sacramento Kings: Houston received Ron Riley from Sacramento Kings for Otto Moore.

The 1973-10-30 exchange produced broadly comparable realized value: Connie Hawkins for Keith Erickson; 1974 second-round pick (#31-Fred Saunders).

The long-term value clearly favored Sacramento Kings: Houston received Matt Guokas from Sacramento Kings for Jimmy Walker.

On October 9, 1973, the Phoenix Suns acquired 1974 third-round pick (#49-Earl Williams); 1975 third-round pick (#54-Bayard Forrest) from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Walt Wesley.

Atlanta acquired 1977 third round pick (#49-Eddie Johnson (Lee)); draft pick (possibly 1976 #28-Bob Carrington) (just one pick per 1974-75 NBA Guide) from Suns in exchange for Bob Christian.

On September 28, 1973, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Toby Kimball from the Sacramento Kings for cash.

Lakers Win. Los Angeles receives A+ because Smith combined elite immediate defensive production with premium downstream trade utility. Buffalo receives A- because McMillian was a productive starter on a rising playoff team, making this far from a zero-return loss. The verdict is Lakers Win rather than a rout because the Braves converted Smith into real competitive value; the separation comes from Smith's second life as a Kareem-trade asset. Los Angeles received immediate value from Smith and then something much larger. Smith led the NBA in blocks in 1973-74, setting the still-standing single-game record of 17, and one year later he became one of the central players the Lakers sent to Milwaukee in the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar blockbuster. Because Smith himself was a direct outgoing asset in that later trade, the Kareem chain is legitimate downstream value rather than unrelated franchise history. The original exchange therefore supplied Los Angeles with both a high-level starting center and a bridge into the most important acquisition of its 1970s rebuild.

Chicago received Rick Adelman for 1974 second round pick (#34-Phil Lumpkin), cash and finished with a modest realized-value edge.

Chicago sent Garfield Heard / Gar Heard, rights to Kevin Kunnert for John Hummer, 1974 second round pick (#27-Leon Benbow), and the outgoing package produced materially greater realized value.

Chicago received John Tresvant for draft pick (outcome unknown), cash, but incomplete detail or undeveloped outcomes do not support a directional verdict.

Golden State's return of cash fell well short of the long-term value surrendered in Fritz Williams.

Washington Wizards captured the stronger long-term value in the 1973-08-23 transaction; Los Angeles Lakers' return of Stan Love did not match 1974 second-round pick (#22-Leonard Robinson (Truck Robinson)); cash.

Denver acquired rights to Mike Green from Indiana Pacers (ABA) for draft pick (outcome unknown).

The Nets acquired Julius Erving; Willie Sojourner from Squires (ABA) in exchange for George Carter; rights to Kermit Washington; cash.

Golden State finished with a modest edge. The Warriors acquired Butch Beard from Oklahoma City Thunder for Mahdi Abdul-Rahman.

Cleveland acquired 1973 first round pick (#2-Jim Brewer) and 1973 third round pick (#37-Jim O'Brien) for John Johnson, Rick Roberson and 1973 first round pick (#15-Barry Parkhill); the completed outcomes remain broadly comparable.

Atlanta acquired 1973 first round pick (#6-Dwight Jones (Elmo)) from Pistons in exchange for George Trapp.

Atlanta acquired 1973 third round pick (#36-Ted Manakas) from 76ers in exchange for Jeff Halliburton.

On January 26, 1973, Kansas City-Omaha Kings acquired John Block from Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Tom Van Arsdale; 1974 third round pick (#42-Harvey Catchings).