The January 16, 1967 three-team trade sent Mel Counts from Baltimore to Los Angeles, Ray Scott from Detroit to Baltimore, and Rudy LaRusso plus a compensatory 1967 first-round pick from the Lakers to Detroit after LaRusso refused to report. Baltimore realized the strongest direct return: Scott played 263 Bullets games through 1969-70, including 19.0 points and 13.2 rebounds immediately after the trade and 16.4 points with 13.7 rebounds the next season. Los Angeles received 271 Counts games through 1969-70. Detroit got 57 games from No. 4 pick Sonny Dove and later sold LaRusso's rights to San Francisco. The completed outcomes favor Baltimore, with Los Angeles also receiving a strong return.
The January 16 deal sent Mel Counts from Baltimore to Los Angeles, Ray Scott from Detroit to Baltimore, and Rudy LaRusso plus a compensatory 1967 first-round pick from the Lakers to Detroit after LaRusso refused to report.
Scott played 263 games for the Bullets through 1969-70. He averaged 19.0 points and 13.2 rebounds immediately after the trade, then 16.4 points and 13.7 rebounds the following season.
Counts played 271 Lakers games through 1969-70, giving Los Angeles a strong multi-year return. That explains the Lakers’ A- despite Baltimore holding the highest grade in the transaction.
Detroit received 57 games from No. 4 pick Sonny Dove and later sold LaRusso’s rights to San Francisco. The A for Baltimore, A- for Los Angeles and C+ for Detroit reflect the much stronger realized production on the other two sides.
Bullets Win — Baltimore A, Los Angeles A-, Detroit C+. The January 16, 1967 three-team trade sent Mel Counts from Baltimore to Los Angeles, Ray Scott from Detroit to Baltimore, and Rudy LaRusso plus a compensatory 1967 first-round pick from the Lakers to Detroit after LaRusso refused to report. Baltimore realized the strongest direct return: Scott played 263 Bullets games through 1969-70, including 19.0 points and 13.2 rebounds immediately after the trade and 16.4 points with 13.7 rebounds the next season.