1998 NBA Trades

New York acquired Marcus Camby from Toronto for Charles Oakley, Sean Marks and cash. Camby's athletic rim protection became essential to the Knicks' 1999 Finals run, while Oakley gave a young Raptors team toughness and veteran credibility during its first playoff breakthrough. Both sides benefited, with New York holding a slight edge because Camby supplied the scarcer postseason impact.

Atlanta received the draft rights to Shammond Williams from Chicago in June 1998 for Cory Carr's rights and two later second-round selections. Williams was an NBA guard but did not become a Hawks fixture; Chicago took several developmental opportunities. The inherited Bulls Win gives Chicago B+ and Atlanta D+.

Dallas acquired the draft rights to Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity for the rights to Robert Traylor, then used Garrity in the separate Steve Nash transaction.

Dallas acquired Steve Nash from Phoenix for Bubba Wells, Martin Müürsepp, the draft rights to Pat Garrity, and a 1999 first-round pick that became Shawn Marion.

Denver acquired four seasons of high-level scoring and playmaking from Nick Van Exel, while Tyronn Lue gave Los Angeles useful but limited championship minutes.

Toronto exchanged Antawn Jamison’s draft rights for Vince Carter’s rights and cash, acquiring the star who became Rookie of the Year, the face of the franchise and the leader of its first playoff breakthroughs.

On June 24, 1998, San Antonio acquired guard Antonio Daniels from Vancouver in exchange for veteran Carl Herrera and the newly drafted rights to No. 24 Felipe López. Daniels developed as a Spurs backcourt option during the club's championship era, while López gave Vancouver a scoring guard and Herrera added veteran frontcourt presence. Both incoming sides received NBA players with actual team contributions. Even Trade, B each.

On June 24, 1998, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired rights to Nazr Mohammed from the Utah Jazz in exchange for first round pick (protected top 15 in 1999, top 14 in 2000, top 13 in 2001, top 2 in 2002 and beyond) (1999 #19-Quincy Lewis).

The long-term value clearly favored Toronto Raptors: Houston received Roy Rogers; 1998 first-round pick (#16-Bryce Drew); 1998 first-round pick (#18-Mirsad Turkcan) from Toronto Raptors for Kevin Willis.

Sacramento acquired 25-year-old Chris Webber from Washington on May 14, 1998 for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe. Webber became the centerpiece of six straight Kings playoff teams, made five All-NBA teams while in Sacramento and helped the 2001-02 club win a franchise-record 61 games and reach the Western Conference finals. Washington received three declining veteran seasons from Richmond and one from Thorpe, with useful production but no playoff berth and no comparable long-term asset.

The Nets acquired Rony Seikaly; Brian Evans from Magic in exchange for Kevin Edwards; Yinka Dare; David Benoit; 1998 first-round pick (lottery protected) (#15, Matt Harpring); Nets waived right to void trade if Seikaly did not report.

Golden State acquired Jason Caffey from Chicago on February 19, 1998, for David Vaughn and two second-round picks. Caffey played 29 Warriors games that spring, 35 in 1998-99 and 71 in 1999-00, totaling 135 games and 1,475 points, while becoming a regular starter. Chicago waived Vaughn, then moved No. 34 Shammond Williams in another deal and selected A.J. Guyton with the later pick. Warriors Win, Golden State A- and Chicago C.

On February 19, 1998, Miami acquired guard Brent Barry from the Clippers for center Ike Austin, forward Charles Smith and a 1998 first-round pick. Los Angeles used the No. 22 selection on Brian Skinner, a future reserve forward-center, and also employed the veteran frontcourt pieces. Barry's Miami stay was brief before later moves. Clippers Win, Los Angeles B+ and Miami C+; the old Clippers A+ inflated a useful but nonstar package.

New York acquired Terry Cummings from Philadelphia on February 19, 1998, for Ron Grandison and Herb Williams. Cummings played 30 Knicks regular-season games afterward, scoring 234 points and adding 135 rebounds across 529 minutes. Philadelphia waived both incoming players two days after the trade, receiving no team-specific playing output from them. Knicks Win, New York B, Philadelphia D+, overturning the inherited 76ers-winner verdict.

Toronto acquired Chauncey Billups, Dee Brown, John Thomas and Roy Rogers from Boston in February 1998 for Kenny Anderson, Zan Tabak and Ronald Jones. Billups's Toronto stint was short but he later became an NBA champion elsewhere; Anderson provided useful Celtics point-guard seasons. The inherited Raptors Win B+ versus Boston F reflects valuation of the outgoing young talent, though team-specific gains were more balanced.

Dallas received Cedric Ceballos from Phoenix Suns and sent Dennis Scott in return.

On February 18, 1998 the Vancouver Grizzlies acquired Bobby Hurley and Michael Smith from Sacramento for Otis Thorpe and Chris Robinson. Smith started 29 of 30 Vancouver games in the remainder of 1997-98, while Hurley made 27 appearances. Thorpe played 27 Kings games and became part of Sacramento's later trade for Chris Webber with Mitch Richmond. Slight Kings Edge, Sacramento A- and Vancouver B+, though Webber cannot be attributed solely to Thorpe.

On February 18, 1998, Minnesota traded veteran Doug West to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Anthony Peeler. Peeler became a six-season Timberwolves contributor, playing 379 regular-season games through 2002-03. West played 67 games across three subsequent Vancouver seasons, with no immediate 1997-98 playing return. Wolves Win, Minnesota A-, Vancouver C; the modern Memphis slug represents Vancouver's franchise.

Golden State finished with a modest edge. The Warriors acquired Clarence Weatherspoon; Jim Jackson from Philadelphia 76ers for Joe Smith; Brian Shaw.

Portland acquired Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers from Toronto on February 13, 1998 for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gary Trent, two 1998 first-round picks, a 1998 second-round pick and cash. Stoudamire became Portland's starting point guard for seven-plus seasons and played on the 1999 and 2000 Western Conference finalists. Toronto countered with 417 games from Alvin Williams and quickly recycled Anderson and both first-rounders into additional roster value, making the Raptors' deeper return slightly stronger in hindsight.

Seattle received 1998 or 1999 conditional second round pick (1998 #33-Jelani McCoy) and sent Eric Snow. The long-term value clearly favored 76ers.