Los Angeles Acquired the Rights to a Florida State Guard
On June 25, 1997, the Clippers transferred a future 1998 second-round selection to Philadelphia and acquired the rights to James Collins, a guard selected from Florida State. The 76ers' transaction ledger identifies Collins as the 36th overall pick. Los Angeles hoped to add another perimeter scorer to a roster changing after a playoff appearance, while Philadelphia was willing to delay its return until the next draft. The deal was a straightforward player-rights-for-pick exchange, not a direct trade for Eric Snow. That later connection emerged only because the Sixers retained control of the acquired 1998 selection.
Collins Played Twenty-Three Games for the Clippers
Collins reached the NBA as a Los Angeles rookie in 1997-98, appearing in 23 regular-season games. His contribution totaled 103 minutes, 59 points and 14 rebounds, with no starts. He did make nine three-pointers at a good percentage, but the team had little ongoing use for him during a 17-65 season. He never played another NBA regular-season year for the Clippers or any other franchise. His 1997 draft position and college shooting ability offered scouting upside, yet the receiving team obtained only a handful of reserve shifts from the acquisition.
Philadelphia Turned the Future Selection Into Eric Snow
The 76ers' return proved far more important through a documented second transaction. On January 18, 1998, Philadelphia sent its newly acquired 1998 second-round pick to Seattle for guard Eric Snow. The SuperSonics used that same selection at No. 33 on Jelani McCoy in the June draft. Therefore McCoy's NBA career should not be counted for the Sixers, who had already exchanged the pick for a proven player. Snow became a regular defensive and playmaking presence beside Allen Iverson, and he was part of the Philadelphia roster that reached the 2001 NBA Finals. The pick was the entire consideration in the Snow deal, making the asset chain unusually direct.
The Sixers Extracted Far More From a Late Draft Asset
Los Angeles got a short rookie audition from Collins, while Philadelphia moved a future second-round pick it acquired in that deal to obtain several seasons of NBA guard contribution. The Snow trade occurred months later and must be named separately, rather than simplifying the story into Collins being swapped straight for Snow. Still, Philadelphia's front office transformed the original outgoing draft rights into a meaningful long-term player. The Clippers could justify taking a chance on a productive college guard, but only 103 NBA minutes followed. With that full, sourced asset history, the earlier narrow Sixers-win grade substantially understated the difference in realized basketball results.
Final Verdict
76ers Win. Philadelphia earns A because the 1998 second-round pick received for James Collins was used in a separate January 1998 trade to acquire Eric Snow, a long-serving starter and member of the 2001 Finals team. Los Angeles receives C for Collins's 23 games, 103 minutes and 59 points. Seattle, not Philadelphia, later drafted Jelani McCoy with the transferred No. 33 pick.