Portland Received Viktor Khryapa Rights in a Draft-Night Exchange
On June 24, 2004, Portland acquired the draft rights to Ukrainian forward Viktor Khryapa from New Jersey. The Nets received veteran guard Eddie Gill and cash considerations in exchange. Historical NBA draft-day transaction registers establish that direction, with the rights moving to the Blazers and the player plus money going to the Nets. Khryapa had been selected late in the first round by New Jersey, but the transfer came before he ever took the court in a Nets NBA game. Portland was willing to develop a young forward who could defend and play in transition, while New Jersey wanted immediate roster or salary flexibility. The transaction did not include a later first-round pick or a conditional second-round selection, so the actual return consists of the named guard, rights and cash.
Khryapa Became a Real Portland Rotation Option
Khryapa joined Portland and spent portions of two NBA seasons with the club. He could defend different forward positions and contribute rebounding, though he was not a leading scorer in the Blazers offense. His second season provided a longer look at what he could do on a rebuilding team before the franchise traded him to Chicago in a separate 2006 agreement. Portland received actual NBA games from a prospect acquired on draft night, rather than a right that remained permanently overseas. Its inherited C grade reflects development and roster use that fell short of an elite starter. The later Chicago tenure and career with the Russian national team were genuine achievements but are not Portland basketball production from this original deal. The Blazers saw a prospect at the beginning of his NBA development curve.
Eddie Gill and Cash Were a More Limited Nets Return
Gill was a veteran point guard used as a depth option by several NBA franchises. His New Jersey role was much smaller than the time Khryapa later spent in Portland, and he did not become a long-running Nets starter. The accompanying cash created economic value immediately, which helps explain why New Jersey might have accepted the agreement rather than keeping the forward prospect. The Nets inherited C+ grade is higher than Portland C, despite the Even Trade winner designation and the more substantial Blazers player minutes. The difference may reflect financial terms, but the original data does not provide a cash figure that could justify a definitive calculation. The narrow verdict should be understood as a historical grade assignment rather than proof that a veteran backup guard outperformed every later Khryapa season.
Final Verdict
Even Trade in the inherited verdict, with New Jersey C+ and Portland C. The Nets gained Eddie Gill and cash while the Trail Blazers obtained Viktor Khryapa rights. Khryapa later gave Portland multiple seasons of developmental forward minutes, whereas Gill was a shorter Nets reserve opportunity. The cash amount is not documented.