Trade Verdicts
NBA Trade Verdict

Cavaliers Win

Cleveland acquired 1978 first round pick (#15-Mike Mitchell) for 1979 first round pick (#4-Greg Kelser), producing a clear Cavaliers win on realized player, draft and roster value.

June 1, 1978 Cleveland Cavaliers / Milwaukee Bucks Record confidence: High

Cleveland Cavaliers Received

  • Draft Pick 1978 first round pick (#15-Mike Mitchell)

Milwaukee Bucks Received

  • Draft Pick 1979 first round pick (#4-Greg Kelser)

Cleveland Cavaliers

A

Milwaukee Bucks

B+

Trade Analysis

The Cavaliers turned the No. 4 pick that became Greg Kelser into Mike Mitchell, who developed into a high-scoring All-Star and one of the best players of the early Cleveland era. The realized return was decisively better. The grade also considers age, contract timing, roster fit and whether the acquired value helped Cleveland’s competitive window rather than relying only on the names listed in the transaction.