1988 NBA Trades

Chicago acquired Craig Hodges from Phoenix on December 14, 1988 for Ed Nealy, a 1989 second-round pick that became Ricky Blanton and cash. Hodges stayed with the Bulls through 1991-92, supplied elite three-point shooting, won three consecutive NBA Three-Point Contests and was part of the 1991 and 1992 championship teams. Phoenix received useful reserve work from Nealy, but Blanton never became a meaningful NBA contributor and the cash did not create a comparable basketball asset. Chicago did not acquire a star, yet it obtained a role player whose best skill fit a title roster for multiple seasons. That makes the Bulls the clear hindsight winner.

Golden State acquired Shelton Jones from San Antonio Spurs for Jerome Whitehead.

The Nets acquired Joe Barry Carroll; Lester Conner from Rockets in exchange for Tony Brown (William); Tim McCormick; Frank Johnson; Lorenzo Romar.

Los Angeles Lakers finished with a modest realized-value edge in the 1988-11-02 transaction with San Antonio Spurs, receiving 1990 second-round pick (#51-Tony Smith (Anton)) for Mike Smrek.

The Nets acquired Mike McGee from Kings in exchange for 1991 second-round pick (#31, Randy Brown); 1996 second-round pick (#37, Jeff McInnis).

Houston acquired Otis Thorpe from Sacramento for Rodney McCray and Jim Petersen. Thorpe became an All-Star, a durable power forward beside Hakeem Olajuwon and a starter on the 1994 championship team.

Houston traded forward Cedric Maxwell to the Washington Bullets for Jim Grandholm in October 1988. Grandholm was waived and briefly re-signed but never logged a regular-season Rockets game. Maxwell participated in Bullets training camp but also never appeared in a Washington regular-season game, ending his NBA career after 1987-88. Contemporary reporting connects Houston's move to freeing room for Otis Thorpe. Even Trade, Houston C- for roster/cap flexibility, Washington D+ for an unused veteran.

The Seattle SuperSonics acquired guard Jerry Reynolds from Milwaukee on October 4, 1988 for a 1990 second-round pick that became No. 44 Steve Henson. Reynolds played 56 Seattle games in 1988-89, totaling 737 minutes and 428 points before being selected by Orlando in the expansion draft. Henson played 118 Bucks games across 1990-91 and 1991-92, totaling 1,076 minutes and 364 points. Even Trade, B both.

Knicks Win by a modest veteran-value edge. New York earns B- for receiving Ron Anderson as a more established NBA guard or wing option, while Indiana receives C+ for the developmental rights to Everette Stephens. Neither right was an automatic multiseason contract, and the later careers of both players must be credited to the teams that actually employed them. The October 3, 1988 record identifies an exchange in which the Knicks received Ron Anderson and the Pacers obtained rights to Everette Stephens. It was a low-profile movement of one NBA-expe

Philadelphia received experienced forward Ron Anderson from Indiana in October 1988 for the rights to guard Everette Stephens. The Sixers gained available NBA minutes, while the Pacers accepted a prospective developmental player. The inherited Even Trade awards C+ to both clubs.

The Nets acquired Walter Berry from Spurs in exchange for Dallas Comegys.

Philadelphia traded Albert King for Pete Myers on August 24, 1988. Myers played four games and 40 minutes for the 76ers before his December release; King provided 46 games and 791 minutes for San Antonio. Spurs Win: San Antonio B-, Philadelphia D+.

Charlotte acquired Robert Reid; 1990 second round pick (#39-Steve Scheffler) from Houston Rockets for Bernard Thompson.

Denver acquired 1989 second-round pick (#47-Reggie Turner) from San Antonio Spurs for rights to Vernon Maxwell.

Los Angeles Clippers earned a modest hindsight edge over Oklahoma City Thunder in the 1988-06-28 exchange, with rights to Gary Grant; 1989 first-round pick (#19-Kenny Payne) providing the better overall return.

The 1988-06-28 trade leans slightly toward Philadelphia 76ers, although Los Angeles Clippers still received useful value led by rights to Charles Smith (Daniel).

Chicago acquired Bill Cartwright and the pick used on Will Perdue while New York received Charles Oakley and the pick used on Rod Strickland, producing two successful roster fits with the Bulls’ three championships providing the narrow edge.

On June 27, 1988, Sacramento Kings acquired Randy Wittman; 1988 first round pick (#18-Ricky Berry) from Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Reggie Theus; 1988 third round pick (#54-Jorge Gonzalez); future considerations.

Charlotte acquired rights to Kelly Tripucka from Utah Jazz for Mike Brown.

Cleveland acquired Darnell Valentine for 1990 or 1992 second round pick (1990 #41-Stephen Bardo / Steve Bardo); the completed outcomes give the Cavaliers a modest realized-value edge.

Dallas received Heat's agreement to select Arvid Kramer in the 1988 expansion draft from Miami Heat and sent 1988 first-round pick (#20-Kevin Edwards) in return.

The 1988-06-23 trade leans slightly toward Miami Heat; Los Angeles Lakers received Heat's agreement not to select Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) in expansion draft but sent Lakers 1991 or 1992 (Heat's choice) second-round pick (1992 #42-Matt Geiger).

Miami and Boston Celtics produced broadly comparable realized value in the 1988-06-23 exchange: 1988 second-round pick (#35-Sylvester Gray) for Heat's agreement not to select Dennis Johnson in the expansion draft.

Miami held the better side in the 1988-06-23 transaction with Seattle SuperSonics, receiving 1988 second-round pick (#40-Orlando Graham) for Heat's agreement not to select Danny Young in the 1988 expansion draft.

Milwaukee Bucks came out ahead in the 1988-06-23 transaction with Miami, which received 1989 second-round pick (least favorable of Bucks picks) (#45-Scott Haffner) for Fred Roberts.

Boston arranged for expansion Miami not to select Dennis Johnson in 1988, compensating the Heat with a second-round selection associated with Sylvester Gray. The veteran guard stayed with the Celtics; the pick gave Miami a chance to add a younger player. Boston B+, Miami C.

Golden State realized the stronger long-term return. The Warriors acquired Manute Bol from Washington Wizards for Dave Feitl; 1989 second round pick (#41-Doug Roth).

Denver Nuggets received Clippers agreed to not exercise their right of first refusal on free agent Michael Brooks. Los Angeles/San Diego Clippers received 1988 third-round pick (#73-Michael Anderson (Levin)). Clippers Win. Denver Nuggets is graded D+; Los Angeles/San Diego Clippers is graded C. The completed outcome is judged on realized player production, draft conversion and traceable downstream trade value rather than on the best later name merely associated with a pick.

Chicago Bulls received Sam Vincent. Seattle Supersonics received Sedale Threatt. Seattle SuperSonics Win. Chicago Bulls is graded C+; Seattle Supersonics is graded B+. The completed outcome is judged on realized player production, draft conversion and traceable downstream trade value rather than on the best later name merely associated with a pick.

Phoenix and Cleveland completed one of the rare blockbuster trades that worked extremely well for both teams. The Suns received Kevin Johnson, Mark West, Tyrone Corbin, the 1988 first-round pick used on Dan Majerle and two second-round picks. Cleveland received Larry Nance, Mike Sanders and the 1988 first-round pick used on Randolph Keys. Johnson became Phoenix's long-term All-NBA point guard, Majerle a three-time All-Star and West a durable starting center. Nance became a long-term Cavaliers All-Star and defensive anchor. Phoenix gets the slight hindsight edge because its package produced more total high-end and supporting value, but Cleveland also deserves an elite grade.

Milwaukee Bucks received Jay Humphries. Phoenix Suns received Craig Hodges and 1988 second round pick (#28-Andrew Lang). Bucks Win. Milwaukee Bucks is graded B+; Phoenix Suns is graded C+. The completed outcome is judged on realized player production, draft conversion and traceable downstream trade value rather than on the best later name merely associated with a pick.

Detroit acquired veteran center James Edwards from Phoenix on February 24, 1988 for Ron Moore and a 1991 second-round pick. Edwards became a rotation fixture on the Pistons teams that reached three straight NBA Finals and won the 1989 and 1990 championships, then remained productive through 1990-91. Phoenix received almost no direct value from Moore, but the second-rounder became No. 46 Richard Dumas, whose explosive 1992-93 rookie season helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals. Dumas gave Phoenix a real payoff, but Edwards' multi-year championship contribution makes Detroit the stronger side.

Boston Celtics received Jim Paxson (Jr.). Portland Trail Blazers received Jerry Sichting and cash (future consideration). Slight Celtics Edge. Boston Celtics is graded B-; Portland Trail Blazers is graded C+. The completed outcome is judged on realized player production, draft conversion and traceable downstream trade value rather than on the best later name merely associated with a pick.

New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets received Roy Hinson, Tim McCormick, and 1989 second-round pick (#32, Stanley Brundy). Philadelphia 76ers received Ben Coleman and Mike Gminski. 76ers Win. New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets is graded D+; Philadelphia 76ers is graded A. The completed outcome is judged on realized player production, draft conversion and traceable downstream trade value rather than on the best later name merely associated with a pick.