The Hornets Bought Overseas Rights with a Late Second
On June 14, 2001, Charlotte exchanged its 2001 second-round selection with Chicago for the NBA signing rights to Spanish center Roberto Dueñas. The pick became No. 45 overall (sometimes numbered No. 44 when the forfeited pick is excluded), used by the Bulls on forward Sean Lampley. Chicago had held Dueñas’s rights since selecting him in the second round of an earlier draft, but he was playing professionally in Spain rather than in the NBA. Charlotte wanted the opportunity to bring a seven-footer across the Atlantic while preserving other draft assets. Chicago preferred a current selection over keeping an international prospect’s rights indefinitely. No veteran NBA contract was part of the agreement, and neither team obtained a first-round pick. The entire return involved draft and signing rights rather than guaranteed appearances for either side.
Dueñas Did Not Become a Charlotte NBA Center
Dueñas had built an established career in European basketball, but that did not translate into regular-season NBA games for the Hornets. Charlotte acquired his contractual rights and the possibility of signing him, not an active center who joined the roster the next week. His European club achievements and Spain appearances were meaningful in their own context but cannot be assigned as Charlotte points, rebounds or playoff starts. The Hornets C grade recognizes a low-cost chance at acquiring a different style of big man while acknowledging there was no realized NBA rotation return. That makes the transaction relatively modest despite the player’s stature and international reputation. The distinction between draft rights and actual playing time is essential: this entry is not a trade in which Charlotte received an established NBA starter.
Chicago Used No. 44 on Sean Lampley
The Bulls exercised the incoming No. 45 overall (sometimes numbered No. 44 when the forfeited pick is excluded) pick on California forward Sean Lampley. Being selected gave Chicago a prospect to evaluate, but draft position alone does not guarantee an NBA career, and the transaction did not create an immediate Chicago rotation scorer comparable to the veterans the club needed. The Chicago C inherited grade balances the real second-round opportunity with limited subsequent first-team impact. The original Even Trade wording is consistent with the equal modest grades. Charlotte tried to secure a developed overseas big man without spending a first-rounder; Chicago turned an international right it was not using into another chance at a rookie. Neither franchise emerged with a clearly established long-term NBA player from the swap. The selection’s later rights or professional career should be tracked separately from the cash-free 2001 agreement.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Charlotte and Chicago each receive C. Charlotte obtained the NBA rights to Roberto Dueñas, who never became a Hornets regular-season player. Chicago acquired the No. 45 overall (sometimes numbered No. 44 when the forfeited pick is excluded) second-round selection in 2001 and used it on Sean Lampley. Both sides traded speculative signing opportunities rather than established NBA contributors.