NBA Trade Verdict

Pacers Win

Indiana secured Milwaukee's agreement not to match Alex English for the No. 8 pick, gaining a future Hall of Fame scorer while the Bucks still received Calvin Natt.

October 3, 1978 Indiana Pacers / Milwaukee Bucks Record confidence: High

Indiana Pacers Received

  • Draft Rights Bucks agreed to not exercise their right of first refusal on free agent Alex English

Milwaukee Bucks Received

Trade Analysis

The Alex English compensation deal produced meaningful value for both clubs. Indiana obtained the ability to sign English, who soon emerged as an elite scorer and ultimately a Hall of Famer. Milwaukee received the 1979 No. 8 pick, which became Calvin Natt, himself an All-Star-caliber forward with a strong NBA career. That keeps the transaction from being a one-sided fleecing. Still, English's sustained offensive peak and historical stature created the stronger realized return. An A-level Pacers grade and Pacers Win verdict capture the edge without dismissing the quality of Milwaukee's compensation.