Tri-Cities acquired Mike Todorovich from the St. Louis Bombers for Mac Otten and cash on November 28, 1949. Todorovich's production surged after the trade: he averaged 13.6 points and 3.7 assists in 51 games for the Blackhawks, then returned for 66 games at 9.9 points in 1950-51. Otten became a 47-game Bombers reserve at 2.2 points and 0.5 assists in what proved to be his only NBA season. The cash amount is not preserved. Tri-Cities receives the decisive historical edge because it acquired a multi-season starter-level scorer while surrendering a low-volume reserve plus undisclosed cash.
On November 28, 1949, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks traded Mac Otten and cash to the St. Louis Bombers for Mike Todorovich. Basketball-Reference lists the same exchange on both team transaction pages, in the league transaction log and in Ben Kerner's executive register. Todorovich had started his rookie NBA season with St. Louis, appearing in 14 games at 6.9 points and 1.4 assists per game. Otten had played 12 games for Tri-Cities at 3.3 points and 0.9 assists.
Todorovich immediately became one of the Blackhawks' most productive players. In 51 games after the trade, he averaged 13.6 points and 3.7 assists, shot .315 from the field and produced 3.3 win shares. Tri-Cities finished 29-35 and reached the Western Division playoffs, where Todorovich averaged 10.3 points across three games against Anderson. More importantly, the value continued beyond one season.
Mac Otten became a regular body in the Bombers rotation but did not approach Todorovich's production. Otten played 47 games for St. Louis, averaging 2.2 points and 0.5 assists while shooting .322 from the field. Basketball-Reference credits the St. Louis portion of his season with negative estimated win-share value, and 1949-50 was his only NBA season. The Bombers also received cash, which prevents the return from being treated as player-for-player alone.
The contrast is substantial. Todorovich more than doubled his scoring rate after leaving St. Louis, became a 51-game high-usage contributor immediately and remained productive for another full season. Otten supplied 47 games but only 2.2 points per night and did not play another NBA season. St. Louis' undisclosed cash consideration keeps the trade from being graded as though the Bombers received nothing, yet the basketball value clearly accumulated on the Blackhawks' side. Tri-Cities obtained both the better immediate player and the longer-lasting asset.
Blackhawks Win — Tri-Cities A+, St. Louis C+. Tri-Cities acquired Mike Todorovich from the St. Louis Bombers for Mac Otten and cash on November 28, 1949. Todorovich's production surged after the trade: he averaged 13.6 points and 3.7 assists in 51 games for the Blackhawks, then returned for 66 games at 9.9 points in 1950-51. Otten became a 47-game Bombers reserve at 2.2 points and 0.5 assists in what proved to be his only NBA season. The cash amount is not preserved.