A Draft-Day Chain Created Useful Returns for Three Teams
The June 19, 1984 transaction began with Cleveland, Washington and the draft rights to two first-round centers. Cleveland had selected Tim McCormick at No. 12. Washington had selected Mel Turpin at No. 6.
Basketball-Reference records Cleveland sending McCormick's rights and Cliff Robinson to Washington for Turpin's rights. Washington then immediately sent McCormick and veteran guard Ricky Sobers to Seattle for Gus Williams.
That second move means Washington's return from the Cleveland trade was not simply Robinson plus McCormick. McCormick became part of the package that brought Williams, while Seattle gained the young center it wanted.
Turpin Became Cleveland's Starting Center
Mel Turpin played 79 games as a rookie in 1984-85 and started 45. He logged 1,949 minutes, scored 835 points, grabbed 452 rebounds and blocked 87 shots.
His role grew in 1985-86. Turpin appeared in 80 games, started 69 and produced 1,097 points, 556 rebounds and 106 blocks.
He played 64 more Cavaliers games in 1986-87. Across three Cleveland seasons, Turpin produced 223 regular-season games and 2,325 points.
The Cavaliers did not get an All-Star, but they did get three seasons of legitimate center production from the No. 6 rights they acquired.
Washington Received Two Strong Branches
Cliff Robinson gave Washington immediate frontcourt scoring. He played 60 games with 37 starts in 1984-85 and averaged 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Robinson followed with 78 games, all starts, in 1985-86 and averaged 18.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. Across those two seasons, he gave the Bullets 138 games and 2,463 points before moving to Philadelphia.
The McCormick branch also became productive. Washington packaged McCormick's rights with Ricky Sobers and acquired Gus Williams from Seattle the same day.
Williams became Washington's starting point guard. He played 79 games with 78 starts in 1984-85, averaging 20.0 points, 7.7 assists and 2.3 steals. He added 77 games and 67 starts in 1985-86, averaging 13.5 points and 5.9 assists.
Because Sobers was an additional Washington asset, the entire Williams return cannot be assigned solely to McCormick. Still, McCormick was a central part of the package, so a meaningful share of those 156 games belongs to this trade tree.
Seattle Got the Young Center It Wanted
The SuperSonics made McCormick the centerpiece of their side. Contemporary reporting identified the 6-foot-11 Michigan center as the player Seattle targeted for interior help behind Jack Sikma.
McCormick played 78 games with 27 starts as a rookie, averaging 9.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. He followed with 77 games and 42 starts in 1985-86.
Across two Seattle seasons, McCormick gave the Sonics 155 games and 69 starts before he was traded to Philadelphia in 1986.
Why Washington Gets the Slight Edge
Cleveland received a starting center for three seasons. Seattle received two productive seasons from a young center. Neither result was poor.
Washington received the broadest combination of value: two strong seasons from Robinson plus a key trade chip that helped land Williams, who immediately became a 20-point, 7.7-assist starting guard.
Final Verdict
Slight Wizards Edge, A/A-/A-. Washington earns an A for combining Robinson's 138 games and high-level scoring with a major role in the Williams acquisition. Cleveland earns an A- for 223 games and three seasons from Turpin. Seattle also earns an A- for 155 games and 69 starts from McCormick. Confidence is high because the draft-day transactions and the team-specific production for Turpin, Robinson, Williams and McCormick are all documented in transaction and statistical records.