Detroit acquired Jeff Judkins from Utah on October 1, 1981 for a 1982 third-round pick that became No. 55 Jerry Eaves. Judkins played 30 regular-season games for the Pistons, made no starts and averaged 2.6 points before leaving after one season. Eaves played all 82 games for Utah as a rookie, averaged 9.3 points and 2.6 assists, then added 80 more games the following year. The Jazz therefore received 162 regular-season games and eight starts from the pick against Detroit's 30 games and zero starts from Judkins, giving Utah a decisive realized-value win.
Basketball-Reference's Detroit, Utah and league transaction ledgers agree on the October 1, 1981 terms. Detroit received Jeff Judkins, while Utah received the Pistons' 1982 third-round pick. The pick ultimately landed at No. 55, where the Jazz selected Louisville guard Jerry Eaves.
Judkins appeared in 30 regular-season games for Detroit in 1981-82 and made no starts. He played 251 total minutes, averaging 8.4 minutes and 2.6 points per game. That was the full extent of his Pistons tenure. Judkins played the following season in Portland, so this review credits Detroit only with the 30 games and reserve minutes produced directly after the trade.
Utah used the incoming pick on Eaves, and the result was much more substantial. As a rookie in 1982-83 he appeared in all 82 games, started seven and averaged 19.4 minutes, 9.3 points and 2.6 assists. He scored 761 points in that first season alone. For a third-round pick, getting a full 82-game rookie campaign with regular rotation minutes is already a strong realized return.
Eaves returned for 80 games in 1983-84 and made one start. His scoring role declined to 4.5 points per game, but he still averaged 12.9 minutes and 2.5 assists while remaining part of the Jazz rotation. That gives Utah 162 regular-season games and eight starts from the acquired pick across two seasons before Eaves moved on.
Detroit received a short reserve look at Judkins and no long-term return. Utah converted a third-round pick into a guard who played essentially two full seasons, including a productive 82-game rookie year. The scale of the original transaction was minor, but the gap in realized value is not. Utah received more than five times as many regular-season games and substantially more rotation impact.
Jazz Win, A-/C-. Utah receives an A- because the No. 55 pick became 162 games of useful backcourt depth, including 9.3 points per game as a rookie. Detroit receives a C- because Judkins played only 30 games, never started and left after one season.