Trade Verdicts
NBA Trade Verdict

Lakers Win

Chicago traded Erwin Mueller to Los Angeles on January 9, 1968 for Jim Barnes and a 1968 third-round pick that became Dave Newmark. Chicago received 47 regular-season games from Barnes and 81 rookie games from Newmark, then sold Barnes' rights to Boston. Los Angeles received 39 games from Mueller at 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds, then converted him into Keith Erickson in September 1968. Erickson played 309 Lakers regular-season games through 1972-73, including 73 games at 11.3 points in 1970-71, and remained on the 1972 championship roster. That downstream conversion gives Los Angeles the stronger realized return.

January 9, 1968 Chicago Bulls / Los Angeles Lakers Record confidence: High

Chicago Bulls Received

  • Player Jim Barnes
  • Draft Pick 1968 third round pick (#31-Dave Newmark)

Los Angeles Lakers Received

Chicago Bulls

B

Los Angeles Lakers

A

Trade Analysis

Chicago Sent Erwin Mueller to Los Angeles for Two Assets

The Bulls traded Erwin Mueller to the Lakers on January 9, 1968 for Jim Barnes and a 1968 third-round pick that became Dave Newmark. Chicago received immediate depth plus a draft selection.

Chicago Got Useful Games from Barnes and Newmark

Barnes played 47 regular-season games for the Bulls, while Newmark added 81 games as a rookie. Chicago later sold Barnes’ rights to Boston, so the incoming package produced more than a single short stint.

Los Angeles Turned Mueller into Keith Erickson

Mueller played 39 Lakers games at 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds before Los Angeles traded him for Keith Erickson in September 1968. Erickson then played 309 Lakers games through 1972-73 and remained on the 1972 championship roster.

The Downstream Conversion Tips the Deal to Los Angeles

Chicago’s B reflects a respectable two-asset return, but the Lakers’ A is driven by the Mueller-to-Erickson conversion. Los Angeles transformed a short-term player into a long-term championship-era contributor.

Final Verdict

Lakers Win — Chicago B, Los Angeles A. Chicago traded Erwin Mueller to Los Angeles on January 9, 1968 for Jim Barnes and a 1968 third-round pick that became Dave Newmark. Chicago received 47 regular-season games from Barnes and 81 rookie games from Newmark, then sold Barnes' rights to Boston.

Research sources (9)