Atlanta Exchanged a Veteran Point Guard for a Lottery-Rights Upgrade
The June 29, 1999 deal moved Atlanta's veteran guard Mookie Blaylock, listed by his given name Daron in some transaction files, and the rights to No. 21 Jeff Foster to Golden State. Atlanta received No. 10 Jason Terry's rights and two veteran pieces, Duane Ferrell and Vernell Coles. The draft-night move gave the Hawks a chance to move toward a younger scoring guard after relying on Blaylock for years. Golden State acquired an established NBA defender and lower first-round rights that it could exercise or trade. Foster had not yet signed or played for either team.
Terry Became Atlanta's Most Valuable Direct Return
The Hawks developed Terry into a major perimeter scorer and lead guard over five seasons from 1999 through 2004. His quickness, shooting and growing offensive responsibility made the No. 10 rights a much more important acquisition than the surrounding veteran contracts. Ferrell and Coles were additional pieces, but neither became Atlanta's next cornerstone. Terry later enjoyed an even longer stint with Dallas and a 2011 championship, yet those years followed a separate 2004 trade. The Hawks deserve credit for Terry's actual Atlanta service and for being able to move him again later, not for all his subsequent Mavericks games.
Golden State Received Blaylock and Another Movable First
Blaylock remained a credible defensive guard after the exchange and supplied Golden State with veteran backcourt play in the early 2000s. His earlier Atlanta accomplishments, including All-Star recognition, cannot be counted as newly earned Warriors output. The team also obtained the rights to Foster, who became an NBA center with Indiana rather than a Golden State roster regular. That future Pacers tenure came after further draft-rights movement, which makes Foster a transferable draft asset in the original transaction. Golden State therefore received more than nothing, even though its package did not produce a guard with Terry's sustained Hawks scoring role.
Atlanta Chose the Right Prospect and Kept Its Options Open
Both organizations made a deliberate choice between proven veteran defense and the upside of a younger scorer. Golden State obtained useful immediate roster experience and an asset tied to another first-round pick, but Atlanta's acquisition grew into a principal offensive player for several seasons. The trade looks even better in hindsight because Terry remained employable as an asset in a later major Mavericks exchange. That additional deal must be evaluated separately, including its other incoming and outgoing components. The original 1999 advantage already exists through Terry's Atlanta playing tenure, so it does not require borrowing his Dallas postseason production.
Final Verdict
Hawks Win. Atlanta earns A for acquiring the rights to Jason Terry, who became a leading Hawks scorer over five seasons, along with Duane Ferrell and Vernell Coles. Golden State receives B- for Mookie Blaylock's veteran guard service and transferable Jeff Foster rights. Foster's later Indiana games were not Warriors production, and Terry's 2011 Mavericks championship came after his separate departure from Atlanta.