Clippers Win
Buffalo made a spectacular short-lived asset play by acquiring Moses Malone from Portland for the 1978 first-round pick that became Rick Robey plus reported cash.
LA Clippers Received
- Player Moses Malone
Portland Trail Blazers Received
- Draft Pick 1978 first-round pick (#3- Rick Robey )
- Cash cash (historical reports: $232K)
Trade Analysis
Buffalo won the acquisition itself because it obtained control of Moses Malone, already a rare young interior talent, for a future first-round pick and cash. The pick became No. 3 overall Rick Robey, a useful NBA big, but Malone developed into a three-time MVP and one of the greatest centers ever. The fact that Buffalo traded Malone again only six days later is evaluated separately in LAC-1976-0023; it does not erase the enormous value Buffalo captured in this first transaction. The A grade therefore reflects the quality of the acquired asset, not the franchise's later decision to move him.