Atlanta Moved Christian for Two Draft Opportunities
The Hawks traded Bob Christian to the Phoenix Suns in October 1973, receiving rights associated with the 1976 second round and 1977 third round. The later selections were linked with Bob Carrington and Eddie Johnson, respectively. This was an era when draft rounds extended well beyond the modern two-round format, so a third-round choice was a legitimate asset. Atlanta chose future selection flexibility rather than keeping Christian as an immediate frontcourt player.
The Exact Pick Record Requires Historical Care
Contemporary transaction summaries and Basketball-Reference's team histories identify both incoming picks, while an older draft-rights ledger included a caveat about the additional Carrington selection. The distinction shouldn't be erased simply to present an artificially certain chain. The No. 49 Eddie Johnson selection is also an identity problem for readers unfamiliar with different players who shared that name. It should not be merged with an unrelated later NBA guard's career.
Phoenix Obtained an Immediate Player
Christian had NBA experience as a center and offered Phoenix a current frontcourt option rather than an unknown future rookie. That could be worthwhile for a team that wanted help before the next several draft cycles. His previous statistics for other franchises are not production acquired by the Suns, however. The transaction's practical comparison is between one veteran player and a couple of conditional, lower-round opportunities that Atlanta might use or later redirect.
The Inherited Atlanta Advantage Is Modest
The Hawks receive B+ for taking multiple draft chances while Phoenix gets C for the immediate veteran. Nothing in the original ledger establishes that Carrington or Johnson became franchise stars for Atlanta through this exact exchange. Nor should the trade be portrayed as the source of every later player named Eddie Johnson. Its historical interest comes from the different ways two teams valued draft selections and an established center in the 1970s.
Final Verdict
Hawks Win. Atlanta earns B+ for the 1976 second-round and 1977 third-round rights connected with Bob Carrington and Eddie Johnson, adding two draft opportunities for Bob Christian. Phoenix gets C for receiving Christian as a current center. The imported ledger's caveat about an early source and the Eddie Johnson identity should remain visible rather than be replaced by unsupported career-credit claims.