1981 NBA Trades

The Lakers acquired Bob McAdoo from the Nets for cash and the second-round pick used on Kevin Williams. McAdoo accepted a reserve role, became a major scorer on the 1982 title run and remained part of the 1985 champions. The Nets received almost no durable basketball value, making this a decisive Lakers win.

San Antonio won the 1981 Mike Mitchell trade because Mitchell became a durable twenty-point scorer and core playoff forward, while Cleveland received shorter and less consequential value from Ron Brewer, Reggie Johnson and cash.

Denver sold Ronnie Valentine's player rights to the Washington Bullets for cash; the amount is not identified in the available evidence.

Boston acquired cash from Bulls in exchange for Tracy Jackson.

The Nets acquired James Bailey from Sonics in exchange for Ray Tolbert; 1984 second-round pick (#39, Danny Young).

Detroit won the deal, acquiring Vinnie Johnson for Greg Kelser.

The Nets acquired Sam Lacey from Kings in exchange for Mike Woodson; 1982 first-round pick (more favorable of Lakers, Suns picks) (#17, Brook Steppe).

The Nets acquired Len Elmore from Bucks in exchange for future considerations (cash).

Milwaukee Bucks received Bullets' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on restricted free agent Bob Dandridge. Washington Wizards received 1982 fifth round pick (#112-Jerry Davis); cash.

Cleveland surrendered Mike Bratz for 1983 third round pick (#66-Les Craft), leaving the completed returns broadly balanced.

After New York declined its right of first refusal, the Nets signed free agent Ray Williams and sent Maurice Lucas to the Knicks as compensation.

Golden State finished with a modest edge. The Warriors acquired 1982 second round pick (#35-Derek Smith); 1984 second round pick (#30-Steve Burtt) from Washington Wizards for John Lucas Jr.

Indiana earned a modest hindsight edge over Los Angeles Lakers, with Butch Carter providing the better realized return.

Atlanta acquired Knicks' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on restricted free agent Mike Glenn from Knicks in exchange for 1982 second round pick (#34-Vince Taylor).

Chicago received rights to Terry Stotts for cash and finished with a modest realized-value edge.

Chicago received Johnny High for 1982 conditional third round pick (if High makes Bulls roster) (not exercised) and finished with a modest realized-value edge.

Detroit acquired Jeff Judkins from Utah for a 1982 third-round pick that became No. 55 Jerry Eaves.

Dallas received draft rights to Brad Branson from Detroit Pistons and sent 1984 third-round pick (pick not identified in source) (probably not exercised) in return.

Milwaukee acquired Geoff Crompton while sending out 1982 third round pick (#66-Phillip Lockett) in the 1981-09-24 transaction with Blazers.

Detroit Pistons received Dave Magley; 1984 second round pick (#34 – Tony Costner). Sacramento Kings received Larry Drew (I).

Dallas received Allan Bristow; Wayne Cooper from Utah Jazz and sent Bill Robinzine in return.

Atlanta acquired Rory Sparrow and the 1985 fourth-round pick that became John Battle from the Nets for the 1982 fourth-round pick that became James Griffin.

Washington Wizards captured the stronger long-term value in the 1981-08-05 transaction; Los Angeles Lakers' return of Bullets' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on veteran free agent Mitch Kupchak did not match Jim Chones; Brad Holland; plus 2 additional assets.

New York acquired 1982 third round pick (#57-Craig Tucker) from Blazers for rights to Tommy Barker. Both sides realized enough value that a decisive winner would overstate the result.

Cleveland acquired James Silas and rights to Rich Yonakor for 1982 second round pick (#24-Oliver Robinson) and cash, but the outgoing package produced a modestly stronger realized return.

The Nets acquired future considerations (cash) from Pistons in exchange for Edgar Jones.

The Nets acquired Mike Woodson from Knicks in exchange for Mike Newlin.

Chicago acquired rights to Ray Blume, 1982 second round pick (#31-Rod Higgins) from Pacers for rights to Mike Olliver, producing a clear realized-value win.

The Nets acquired Otis Birdsong; 1981 second-round pick (#44, Steve Lingenfelter) from Kings in exchange for Cliff Robinson.

Atlanta acquired 1981 first round pick (#4-Al Wood); 1981 second round pick (#38-Clyde Bradshaw); Bulls' option to swap 1982 first round picks with Hawks (not exercised) from Bulls in exchange for 1981 first round pick (#6-Orlando Woolridge); 1982 second round pick (#26-Ricky Frazier); Bulls' option to swap 1982 first round picks with Hawks (not exercised).

Cleveland acquired Kings' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on free agent Scott Wedman and 1981 second round pick (#36-Ray Blume) for 1981 first round pick (#17-Kevin Loder); the completed outcomes give the Cavaliers a modest realized-value edge.

Cleveland acquired Pacers' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on veteran free agent James Edwards for 1981 second round pick (#36-Ray Blume) and 1982 second round pick (#40-Guy Morgan); the completed outcomes give the Cavaliers a modest realized-value edge.

The partner finished with a modest edge. The Warriors acquired Mike Gale from Portland Trail Blazers for 1982 second round pick (#37-Audie Norris); 1985 second round pick (#25-Mike Smrek).

The realized return strongly favored Houston: Houston received Elvin Hayes from Washington Wizards for 1981 second-round pick (#35-Charlie Davis) (E.); 1983 second-round pick (#25-Sidney Lowe).

Indiana and Phoenix Suns produced close realized value, with a narrow edge to Suns, in the 1981-06-08 exchange.

Portland turned Tom Owens into an unprotected 1984 first-round pick that became the No. 2 selection, while Indiana received only a brief veteran tenure and a later second-round return.

Cleveland exchanged Randy Smith for 1981 first round pick (#17-Kevin Loder), with the two sides generating broadly comparable realized value.

Cleveland surrendered Chad Kinch and 1985 first round pick (#8-Detlef Schrempf) for Geoff Huston and 1983 third round pick (#56-Larry Anderson), leaving the partner with a clear realized-value win.

Atlanta acquired Wes Matthews (Sr.) from Bullets in exchange for Don Collins.