Dallas Turned Jamison Into a Different Kind of Contender Package
On June 24, 2004, the Mavericks sent Antawn Jamison and $1 million to Washington. Dallas received Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner and the draft rights to Devin Harris. This was not a straight veteran-for-veteran transaction, because Harris's rights constituted a separate young-player asset and the cash was part of what Washington obtained. The move let Dallas redistribute one established scoring forward into a guard, a veteran scorer and another experienced frontcourt name.
Stackhouse and Harris Served the 2006 Finals Team
Stackhouse became a valuable offensive contributor during Dallas's climb to the 2006 NBA Finals, while Harris developed into a key guard on that run. Their contribution gave Dallas two distinct forms of on-court return from the same 2004 transaction. Laettner was also included among the received players, but Dallas's strong grade doesn't depend on pretending he was a major piece of the Finals roster. The team's competitive timing explains why a split return with different roles had practical value.
Washington Acquired an Established Scorer Plus Cash
Washington got Jamison and the $1 million consideration, a simpler package centered on one high-volume scoring forward. Jamison remained a capable NBA scorer with the Wizards, making it important not to treat the other side as if it received a nonfunctional player. The grade difference instead reflects the longer Dallas-specific combination of Stackhouse and Harris during an actual Finals appearance. Jamison's individual production is real; the Mavericks' combined positional and postseason benefit is why the verdict favors them.
Final Verdict
Mavericks Win. Dallas earns A- for bringing Jerry Stackhouse and Devin Harris onto its 2006 Finals team, with Christian Laettner also included. Washington receives C for Antawn Jamison and $1 million—an established scorer and a cash payment, but less varied direct team value. The outcome rests on the actual players moved, not hypothetical later picks.