Los Angeles Sold Adrian Branch's Rights to New Jersey
On November 5, 1987, the Lakers sold the player rights to Adrian Branch to New Jersey. Both the NBA's historical transaction register and the Nets' ledger confirm the rights transfer. The outgoing compensation was cash, whose dollar amount is not established in the cited records. Branch had been a reserve for Los Angeles the season before but wasn't among the core players the team expected to use going forward. New Jersey was rebuilding depth at forward and gave the 24-year-old another NBA opportunity. This transaction did not bring the Lakers a draft pick or roster player; it converted rights they did not plan to use into a financial return.
Branch Played Twenty Nets Games Before His Release
Branch appeared in 20 New Jersey games in 1987-88, making three starts, and averaged 15.4 minutes, 6.7 points and 2.4 rebounds. The short playing stint supplied immediate bench scoring, but not a lasting answer for a Nets club that finished 19-63. New Jersey waived him on December 22, less than two months after acquiring the rights. His 20 appearances and 308 minutes are attributable to the Nets, while his previous championship season with the Lakers isn't a benefit created by this trade. The New Jersey C grade therefore captures a modest audition with real but short-lived court production.
The Lakers Received a Cash Return With No Player Risk
Los Angeles traded a fringe asset and received cash. That return is concrete as a transaction term but not readily comparable to NBA minutes without a verified amount. The Lakers retained their established roster rather than committing a regular rotation position to Branch, and they did not create future draft capital from the sale. Assigning the same C grade to both clubs reflects the deal's limited stakes: New Jersey obtained twenty games of playable depth before waiving Branch, while the Lakers obtained a small or undisclosed financial return without giving up a main rotation contributor. Neither side gained an enduring advantage.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. New Jersey receives C after Adrian Branch supplied 20 games and three starts before being waived. Los Angeles also gets C for transferring his rights for undisclosed cash. The Nets gained temporary court minutes; the Lakers gained a financial return without losing a regular starter.