Detroit traded Jim McElroy to Atlanta on January 24, 1980 for Ron Lee plus 1980 second- and third-round picks. Lee played 194 regular-season games for the Pistons over parts of three seasons, including every game in 1980-81 and 81 of 82 in 1981-82. Atlanta received 105 McElroy games across parts of three seasons. Detroit used the picks on Brad Branson and Jonathan Moore, but neither played a regular-season game for the Pistons. The pick outcomes were weak, yet Lee's longer direct tenure gives Detroit the better realized return.
Basketball-Reference records the January 24, 1980 trade as Jim McElroy to Atlanta for Ron Lee, a 1980 second-round pick and a 1980 third-round pick. Detroit later used those selections at No. 45 on Brad Branson and No. 64 on Jonathan Moore.
Lee played 31 games for the Pistons after the trade in 1979-80, averaging 7.3 points, 5.6 assists and 2.7 steals in 25.9 minutes. He then played all 82 games in 1980-81 and 81 more in 1981-82. That gives Detroit 194 regular-season games from Lee alone, including two full seasons of rotation guard work. Detroit placed Lee on waivers in October 1982. No later trade return needs to be credited to the branch.
McElroy played 31 Hawks games after the trade in 1979-80, then 54 in 1980-81 and 20 in 1981-82. He averaged 5.5 points and 2.1 assists during the first partial Atlanta season, then 3.8 points in 1980-81 before starting 17 of his 20 games in 1981-82. Across the three seasons, Atlanta received 105 regular-season appearances. McElroy became a free agent in 1982, so the direct branch ends there.
Detroit selected Branson at No. 45, but he played in Italy in 1980-81 and never appeared in a Pistons regular-season game. Historical transaction records show Detroit later moved his negotiating rights to Dallas for future considerations; the reviewed sources do not identify a concrete NBA return that can be isolated for this review. Jonathan Moore, the No. 64 pick, also never played an NBA regular-season game. The two picks therefore did not add direct Pistons minutes.
Atlanta received more than 100 McElroy games and should get credit for a useful multi-season guard. Detroit, however, received nearly twice as many games from Lee, including two near-complete seasons, while also holding two extra draft assets even though those picks did not become contributors. The trade is not a blowout because the draft outcomes were poor and McElroy was useful. The difference is Lee's much longer realized tenure.
Pistons Win, B+/B-. Detroit receives a B+ for 194 Ron Lee games plus two additional draft assets. Atlanta receives a B- for 105 McElroy games over parts of three seasons.