The Lakers Traded an All-Star Guard for Their Next Championship Backcourt Piece
Basketball-Reference's Lakers and San Diego transaction ledgers agree on the October 10, 1983 package. Los Angeles sent Norm Nixon, Eddie Jordan, a 1986 second-round pick and a 1987 second-round pick to the Clippers for Swen Nater and the draft rights to Byron Scott.
The deal is often remembered as Nixon for Scott, but the complete return matters. San Diego received two picks that it moved again only seven days later, and those assets produced Ricky Pierce before being folded into another trade.
Scott Became a Long-Term Lakers Starter
Scott played 74 games as a rookie in 1983-84, started 49 and averaged 10.6 points. He made the All-Rookie team and appeared in 20 playoff games.
His role expanded immediately. Scott averaged 16.0 points in 1984-85 as the Lakers won the championship, 17.0 in the 1986-87 championship season and a career-high 21.7 in 1987-88 as Los Angeles repeated.
He started all 82 games in 1986-87 and 81 in 1987-88. Scott's shooting and transition scoring fit the Showtime Lakers, and he became a stable backcourt partner for Magic Johnson through three title runs.
Nater was only a small part of the return. He appeared in 17 Lakers games in 1983-84, totaling 146 minutes, 58 points and 40 rebounds.
Nixon Gave the Clippers Legitimate Value
San Diego did not lose this trade badly. Nixon started all 82 games in his first Clippers season and averaged 17.0 points and a league-leading 11.1 assists per game.
After the move to Los Angeles, Nixon averaged 17.2 points and 8.8 assists in 1984-85 and was selected to the All-Star Game. He followed with 14.6 points and 8.6 assists in 1985-86.
Major knee and Achilles injuries then cost him the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons. Nixon returned for 53 games in 1988-89, but his best Clippers value came in those first three seasons.
The Picks Became Ricky Pierce, Not Hornacek and Dalrymple for the Clippers
The transaction ledger shows San Diego traded both incoming second-round picks to Detroit on October 17, 1983 for Ricky Pierce. That means Jeff Hornacek and Bruce Dalrymple, the players eventually selected with those picks, should not be credited directly to the Clippers.
Pierce gave San Diego 69 games, 35 starts and 685 points as a rookie in 1983-84. The Clippers then included him in the September 1984 trade with Milwaukee that brought Marques Johnson, Junior Bridgeman and Harvey Catchings to Los Angeles.
Eddie Jordan was waived by San Diego on October 17, 1983, so his direct Clippers value was zero.
Why the Lakers Still Win
The Clippers received an All-Star season from Nixon plus additional value through Pierce. That is a strong return and deserves a high grade.
Scott, however, became a long-term starter on three championship teams and remained productive through the Lakers' title window. Championship-level continuity at a premium rotation spot gives Los Angeles the higher realized value.
Final Verdict
Lakers Win, A+/A-. The Lakers earn an A+ because Scott became a decade-long franchise piece and starter on the 1985, 1987 and 1988 champions. The Clippers earn an A- because Nixon delivered three strong seasons and an All-Star berth, while the draft-pick branch produced Pierce and further trade value. Confidence is high because the trade terms, player production and immediate pick re-trade are documented in team transaction records.