Charlotte Chose Armstrong While Moving Two Guards
Charlotte sent Muggsy Bogues and Tony Delk to Golden State for B.J. Armstrong on November 7, 1997. The Hornets were moving on from Bogues, their longtime point guard whose injuries and reserve role had reduced his playing time. Delk was a recent first-round choice, adding younger scoring potential to the Warriors’ return. Armstrong had been an All-Star and a championship starter in Chicago years earlier, but by late 1997 he was a veteran backup after two seasons in Golden State. The trade was a two-for-one arrangement, not a straight Bogues-for-Armstrong swap. Both incoming Warriors players require separate consideration when evaluating the deal’s outcome.
Bogues and Delk Both Played Significant Warriors Minutes
Bogues appeared in 59 Golden State games in 1997-98, starting 31, and averaged 5.8 points and 5.5 assists in 26.3 minutes. He returned for another 36 Warriors appearances during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season. Delk had an even larger first-year workload: 74 games in 1997-98, nine starts and 10.4 points per appearance. A team receiving two guards who jointly covered regular rotation roles extracted far more than a mere famous veteran name. Golden State’s A- grade rewards both a seasoned floor general and a younger scorer. They were not championship-level contributors, but their direct playing time is enough to explain the clear advantage.
Armstrong Became a Limited Hornets Backup
Armstrong made 62 Charlotte regular-season appearances in 1997-98 without a start, averaging 12.5 minutes, 3.9 points and 2.3 assists. He was useful as a low-minute reserve but nowhere near the full-time player he had been for Chicago. He also appeared in nine playoff games for the Hornets that season, providing some postseason depth. Charlotte’s D+ grade reflects surrendering Bogues and Delk for a single guard whose role was substantially smaller than their combined opportunity in Golden State. The transaction illustrates the cost of trading both a franchise veteran and a young prospect for a backup whose most productive career seasons were already behind him.
Final Verdict
Warriors Win. Golden State earns A- for 59 Bogues games with 5.5 assists per night plus 74 games and 10.4 points from Tony Delk in 1997-98. Charlotte receives D+ for B.J. Armstrong’s 62 reserve appearances. The two-player Warriors return delivered substantially more playing value.