Atlanta Took Comegys for a Future Second
The November 3, 1987 transaction brought young forward Dallas Comegys to Atlanta from the New Jersey Nets. New Jersey received a conditional later second-round selection, identified in historical records as a 1989-or-1990 opportunity that ultimately corresponds to the 1990 No. 28 position associated with Les Jepsen. The Nets are indexed under the later Brooklyn franchise name in the canonical dataset, but the agreement was made by New Jersey. Atlanta wanted an actual prospect it could place into its roster evaluations immediately; the Nets chose future draft flexibility rather than retaining Comegys.
Comegys Was a Current Prospect With Uncertain NBA Value
Comegys had been a first-round draft prospect, which made a change of environment potentially attractive for the Hawks. Still, being a former high pick couldn't guarantee a starting role, and Atlanta's frontcourt already had players who would compete for playing time. Comegys offered a chance to assess his athletic skills and size, but not an established record of sustained NBA impact. The correct Atlanta return begins with its own appearances and subsequent roster decisions, not the draft position or expectations attached to Comegys when New Jersey originally obtained his rights.
New Jersey's Pick Became a Named 1990 Selection
The Nets' incoming future selection was not immediately numbered or fully settled at the 1987 agreement date. Its conditional 1989-or-1990 timing ultimately led to the 1990 No. 28 draft position associated with Les Jepsen. That named outcome helps identify the asset, though Jepsen's subsequent career shouldn't be awarded to New Jersey without checking his actual team history. By accepting a future second rather than keeping Comegys, the franchise traded immediate prospect control for the chance to select or move a different player later. Both were reasonable options for a rebuilding team.
An Even Grade Reflects Two Limited Development Paths
Atlanta received a current young forward and New Jersey obtained a later first-position-in-the-second-round draft opportunity. Neither was a guaranteed cornerstone player, and their eventual returns depended on development and further roster decisions outside this deal. Comegys's earlier selection status might have been appealing but was not a newly awarded premium draft pick to Atlanta. New Jersey's eventual No. 28 selection carried genuine value while still not ensuring an NBA starter. Equal modest grades convey a balanced prospect-for-prospect gamble rather than a decisive historical win.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Atlanta earns C+ for receiving Dallas Comegys as an immediately available forward prospect. The New Jersey Nets, indexed under Brooklyn lineage, get C+ for a conditional future second that ultimately aligned with 1990 No. 28 Les Jepsen. Neither asset guaranteed an established NBA player, and the 1987 Nets were not yet based in Brooklyn.