1976 NBA Trades

Denver acquired Jim Price from Buffalo Braves for Gus Gerard; Chuck Williams.

Seattle received Nick Weatherspoon / Nick Witherspoon and sent Leonard Gray. The completed value remains close enough to support an even result.

Knicks Win. McAdoo was still an elite scorer in his mid-20s and gave New York star-level production immediately. Even without a championship, acquiring a former MVP and scoring champion for a non-star player and cash created a large basketball-value gap. Buffalo's financial circumstances matter. The cash component was substantial for the era and the franchise was operating under instability, so the return should not be graded as though the team had no business reason for the transaction.

Milwaukee acquired veteran scorer Fred Carter for 1977 and 1978 second-round picks; Philadelphia used the latter selection at No. 36 on future champion and Hall of Fame point guard Maurice Cheeks.

The Nets acquired Bob Love from Bulls in exchange for 1977 second-round pick (#23, Mike Glenn); cash.

Chicago received John Mengelt for cash and finished with a modest realized-value edge.

The 1976-11-16 trade leans slightly toward San Antonio Spurs; Los Angeles Lakers received 1977 first-round pick (#15-Brad Davis); cash but sent Mack Calvin.

Philadelphia traded Mel Bennett to Indiana for a 1980 first-round pick, then used the No. 8 selection on Andrew Toney, a two-time All-Star and core member of the 1983 championship team.

Buffalo Braves and Milwaukee Bucks produced a stronger realized return for Bucks in the 1976-11-02 exchange: Jim Price for 1977 first-round pick (#13-Tate Armstrong).

Houston acquired 21-year-old Moses Malone from the Buffalo Braves for two future first-round picks after Malone had appeared in only two games for Buffalo.

Detroit acquired future considerations (1978 second round pick (#38 – Lew Massey)) from Los Angeles Lakers for rights to Dwight Lamar / Bo Lamar.

Philadelphia purchased Julius Erving from the financially pressured New York Nets for reported cash, acquiring a prime superstar who led four Finals teams and the 1983 champion.

Boston received Curtis Rowe and sent Paul Silas in a multi-team trade involving Nuggets, Pistons.

The Nets acquired Rudy Hackett from Nuggets in exchange for future draft pick.

Buffalo made a spectacular short-lived asset play by acquiring Moses Malone from Portland for the 1978 first-round pick that became Rick Robey plus reported cash.

Boston acquired Sidney Wicks from Blazers in exchange for cash.

On October 5, 1976, Portland acquired Sidney Wicks from Utah Jazz in exchange for cash.

Chicago received draft pick (outcome unknown) / future considerations (details unresolved) for Allen Murphy, but incomplete detail or undeveloped outcomes do not support a directional verdict.

Atlanta acquired Randy Denton from Knicks in exchange for 1977 second round pick (#26-Glen Gondrezick).

Denver acquired rights to Willie Wise from Golden State Warriors for 1977 fourth-round pick (#87-Leartha Scott).

Denver acquired future considerations (details unresolved) / 1977 draft pick (outcome unknown) from Buffalo Braves for Claude Terry.

On September 17, 1976, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Henry Bibby from the Utah Jazz for cash.

The Nets acquired 1978 third-round pick (#62, Dave Batton); 1978 fourth-round pick (#84, Walter Jordan); cash from Nuggets in exchange for Ted McClain.

Chicago received Tom Kropp for 1977 third round pick (#57-Steve Puidokas) and finished with a modest realized-value edge.

The Nets acquired Nate Archibald from Kings in exchange for Jim Eakins; Brian Taylor; 1977 first-round pick (#2, Otis Birdsong); 1978 first-round pick (#2, Phil Ford).

The long-term outcome favored New York Knicks; Buffalo Braves' return led by cash did not match the value it surrendered.

The Nets acquired Larry McNeill from Kings in exchange for 1977 third-round pick (#45, Bill Paterno); cash.

Seattle received cash and sent Herm Gilliam. The long-term value clearly favored Blazers.

Seattle received LaRue Martin and sent future considerations (not exercised). The realized return clearly favored Seattle.

The 1976-08-25 exchange produced broadly comparable realized value: 1977 second-round pick (#27-Glenn Williams); cash for Tom Van Arsdale.

Denver acquired rights to Fatty Taylor from Philadelphia 76ers for 1977 second-round pick (#43-Herm Harris).

Buffalo Braves and Milwaukee Bucks produced close realized value, with a narrow edge to Bucks, in the 1976-08-05 exchange: ABA dispersal draft first-round pick (#7-Bird Averitt) for 1977 second-round pick (#27-Glenn Williams).

Portland traded Steve Hawes and Geoff Petrie to Atlanta for the second selection in the 1976 ABA dispersal draft, then used it on Maurice Lucas. Lucas immediately became the physical and emotional centerpiece of the 1977 champions. Atlanta received a useful big in Hawes, but Portland converted the deal into the franchise's only title.

Atlanta acquired Ken Charles; Dick Gibbs; cash from Braves in exchange for Tom Van Arsdale.

Atlanta acquired Gus Bailey; Joe Meriweather; 1976 first round pick (#9-Armond Hill) from Rockets in exchange for Dwight Jones (Elmo); 1976 first round pick (#1-John Lucas Jr.).

On June 3, 1976, Portland acquired 1977 second round pick (#28-Kim Anderson) from Utah Jazz in exchange for 1976 second round pick (#26-Jacky Dorsey).

The Nets acquired Ted McClain from Colonels (ABA) in exchange for future considerations.

Buffalo Braves and Phoenix Suns produced close realized value, with a narrow edge to Clippers, in the 1976-02-01 exchange: John Shumate; 1978 second-round pick (#41-Jerome Whitehead) for Gar Heard; 1976 second-round pick (#30-Al Fleming).

The Nets acquired Jim Eakins from Squires (ABA) in exchange for Swen Nater; Bill Schaeffer.

The long-term outcome favored San Antonio Spurs; Indiana's return led by cash did not match what it surrendered.