1982 NBA Trades

Atlanta acquired Johnny Davis (Reginald) from Pacers in exchange for 1983 second round pick (#40-Jim Thomas); cash.

Cleveland acquired World B. Free for Ron Brewer, producing a clear Cavaliers win on realized player, draft and roster value.

The Nets acquired Wallace Johnson; rights to Fred Roberts from Bucks in exchange for Phil Ford; 1983 second-round pick (most favorable of Nets picks) (#41, Ted Kitchel).

The Nets acquired 1983 second-round pick (#44, Horace Owens); 1985 second-round pick (#36, Yvon Joseph) from Rockets in exchange for James Bailey.

San Diego Clippers captured the stronger realized return in the 1982-10-27 transaction with Philadelphia 76ers, led by Lionel Hollins.

Cleveland exchanged Brad Branson for 1983 second round pick (#36-Scooter McCray), with a narrow realized-value edge to Cavaliers.

New York acquired Bernard King from Golden State for Micheal Ray Richardson and a 1984 fifth-round pick, obtaining the elite scorer whose best seasons and defining playoff run came as a Knick.

The long-term value clearly favored San Antonio Spurs: Houston received 1985 second-round pick (#36-Yvon Joseph) from San Antonio Spurs for Rockets' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on free agent Bill Willoughby.

Houston Rockets received 1983 second-round pick (#44-Horace Owens). San Antonio Spurs received Rockets' agreement to waive their right of first refusal on restricted free agent Mike Dunleavy (Sr.) (who had recently signed an offer sheet with Spurs).

San Diego Clippers captured the stronger realized return in the 1982-10-15 transaction with Milwaukee Bucks, led by Robert Smith (Leroy).

Chicago received conditional draft pick (if Blume makes Clippers roster) (not exercised) for Ray Blume, but the partner generated modestly stronger realized value.

Cleveland surrendered 1986 second round pick (#27-Dennis Rodman) for Steve Hayes, leaving the partner with a clear realized-value win.

The realized return strongly favored Houston: Houston received Wally Walker from Oklahoma City Thunder for 1984 second-round pick (#28-Cory Blackwell).

Chicago received Tom Burleson for future considerations (details unresolved), but incomplete detail or undeveloped outcomes do not support a directional verdict.

On October 2, 1982, the Phoenix Suns acquired 1983 third-round pick (#52-Winfred King) from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Suns' agreement to waive their right of first refusal on veteran free agent Dudley Bradley.

The Nets acquired 1983 third-round pick (#59, Bruce Kuczenski) from Knicks in exchange for Ed Sherod.

Atlanta acquired George Johnson (Thomas) from Spurs in exchange for Jim Johnstone; 1983 second round pick (#35-Darrell Lockhart); 1985 second round pick (#31-Manute Bol).

Philadelphia acquired reigning MVP Moses Malone for Caldwell Jones and the first-round pick used on Rodney McCray, then won the 1983 championship in Malone’s first season.

Boston acquired Quinn Buckner from Bucks in exchange for Dave Cowens.

Atlanta acquired the draft rights to Dominique Wilkins from Utah for John Drew, Freeman Williams and $1 million. Wilkins became a nine-time All-Star, the 1986 scoring champion and the defining Hawks player of his era. Drew gave Utah useful offense and the cash addressed a real organizational need, but the Jazz did not receive a lasting centerpiece. Atlanta wins decisively.

Detroit acquired Tom Owens from Indiana Pacers for 1984 second round pick (#43 – Greg Wiltjer).

The long-term outcome favored Pistons; Indiana's return led by 1984 second-round pick (#43-Greg Wiltjer) did not match what it surrendered.

The Nets acquired Darryl Dawkins from 76ers in exchange for 1983 first-round pick (#17, Leo Rautins); $700K cash.

Detroit acquired 1984 third round pick (#65 – Tim Kearney) from Portland Trail Blazers for Pistons' agreement not to exercise their right of first refusal on free agent Jeff Judkins.

San Antonio acquired Artis Gilmore from Chicago for Dave Corzine, Mark Olberding and cash, adding an All-Star-caliber center to a team that reached the 1983 Western Conference finals.

Denver acquired Bill Hanzlik from Seattle SuperSonics for rights to Wally Walker.

New York acquired Truck Robinson from Suns for Maurice Lucas. Both sides realized enough value that a decisive winner would overstate the result.

Atlanta acquired rights to Jim Johnstone from Kings in exchange for 1984 second round pick (#37-Ben Coleman).

The Nets acquired rights to Wayne Sappleton from Warriors in exchange for 1983 second-round pick (#43, Pace Mannion).

The Nets acquired Phil Ford from Kings in exchange for Ray Williams.

Golden State finished with a modest edge. The Warriors acquired 1983 second round pick (#43-Pace Mannion) from Brooklyn Nets for rights to Wayne Sappleton.

Portland sent Kelvin Ransey to Dallas for Wayne Cooper and a 1985 first-round pick, receiving immediate frontcourt help and later selecting Terry Porter with the pick.

Dallas received Pat Cummings from Milwaukee Bucks and sent 1982 second-round pick (#27-Fred Roberts) in return.

The long-term result was ultimately favorable to Clippers: Houston received Joe Bryant; 1982 second-round pick (#42-Jeff Taylor (b. 1960-01-01)) from Los Angeles Clippers for 1982 second-round pick (#32-Richard Anderson).

Chicago acquired 1983 second round pick (#31-Doc Rivers) from Warriors for 1982 second round pick (#38-Wayne Sappleton), producing a clear realized-value win.

Detroit acquired 1982 first round pick (#18 – Ricky Pierce) from Portland Trail Blazers for Kenny Carr.

Golden State surrendered the more valuable outcome. The Warriors acquired 1982 second round pick (#38-Wayne Sappleton) from Chicago Bulls for 1983 second round pick (#31-Doc Rivers).

Denver acquired Rich Kelley from Phoenix Suns for 1982 first-round pick (#15-David Thirdkill).

Detroit acquired Bill Laimbeer and Kenny Carr for Phil Hubbard, Paul Mokeski and the picks that became John Bagley and Dave Magley. Cleveland received multiple useful rotation seasons, but Laimbeer became a four-time All-Star, defensive identity piece and starting center on two Pistons championship teams, giving Detroit the clear long-term win.

Cleveland acquired Cliff Robinson for Reggie Johnson; the completed outcomes give the Cavaliers a modest realized-value edge.

The 1982-02-12 trade leans slightly toward Oklahoma City Thunder, although San Diego Clippers still received useful value led by Armond Hill; 1982 second-round pick (#42-Jeff Taylor (b. 1960-01-01)); cash.

Atlanta acquired Freeman Williams from Clippers in exchange for Charlie Criss; Al Wood.

The long-term outcome favored Philadelphia 76ers; Indiana's return led by cash did not match what it surrendered.