The Knicks Moved Darrell Walker for a 1987 First-Round Pick
On October 2, 1986, New York traded guard Darrell Walker to Denver for its 1987 first-round selection. The Nuggets wanted immediate point-guard help under Doug Moe, whose offense led the league in pace during the 1986-87 season. The Knicks accepted a future lottery asset rather than carry Walker into another season of changing backcourt roles. The pick eventually landed eighth in the 1987 draft, but New York never used that selection to draft Olden Polynice. That detail is central to evaluating the deal: the Knicks' compensation was an asset they could exchange again, not the eventual NBA career of the player associated with the slot.
Walker Gave Denver a Productive Full Season
Walker played 81 regular-season games for the Nuggets in 1986-87, starting 25 and averaging 12.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also appeared in three playoff games against the Lakers. Denver used a future pick to acquire a contributor who could handle the ball and defend opposing guards during a difficult season. The following November, the Nuggets moved Walker and Mark Alarie to Washington for Michael Adams and Jay Vincent. His part in that separate four-player trade adds transaction utility, but Adams' entire later career shouldn't be attributed to Walker alone. Denver's B+ reflects his real first-year production and the ability to move him again.
New York Turned the Pick Into Jawann Oldham
On October 30, 1986, less than a month after acquiring Denver's selection, the Knicks sent that 1987 first and a 1988 second to Chicago for center Jawann Oldham. Oldham played 44 games for New York in 1986-87 and averaged 3.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. The pick later passed from Chicago to Seattle in the Scottie Pippen draft-night deal, so Pippen's career doesn't belong in New York's realized return. New York's B+ recognizes using a valuable future pick to bring in center depth, while also acknowledging the additional second-round cost and Oldham's limited tenure. Both clubs made an identifiable basketball use of the asset they obtained.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Denver earns B+ for Darrell Walker's 81-game season and his later inclusion in a separate trade. New York also receives B+ for a 1987 first-round pick, later paired with another choice to acquire Jawann Oldham. The Nuggets gained immediate guard production; the Knicks converted a draft asset into frontcourt depth.