Minneapolis Bought Billy Hassett’s Rights
On December 7, 1949, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks sold Billy Hassett's player rights to the Minneapolis Lakers for cash. Basketball-Reference lists the sale on the Tri-Cities, Minneapolis and league transaction pages, and the Lakers' official media guide independently records that the franchise purchased Hassett's contract from Tri-City on the same date. Hassett had been a productive guard for the Blackhawks early in the season, averaging 8.9 points and 3.8 assists across 18 games.
Hassett Filled a Championship Reserve Role
Hassett played 42 regular-season games for the Lakers after the purchase. His role was far smaller than it had been in Tri-Cities: he averaged 2.6 points and 1.6 assists, shot .262 from the field and produced 111 total points. He also appeared in seven playoff games, averaging 1.3 points as Minneapolis moved through Chicago, Fort Wayne, Anderson and Syracuse to win the 1950 NBA championship.
Tri-Cities Took Cash for a Productive Guard
Tri-Cities received cash, but the amount is not identified in the reviewed public sources. The Blackhawks gave up a player who had been one of their more productive guards through the first 18 games, so the sale did remove immediate scoring and playmaking. Tri-Cities still finished 29-35 and reached the Western Division playoffs, but Hassett's prior 8.9 points and 3.8 assists per game show that this was not the sale of an unused reserve.
The Title-Season Depth Gives the Lakers the Edge
The championship context adds value without turning Hassett into a star acquisition. He played 42 regular-season games and seven playoff games for the league champion, which is useful realized depth. Tri-Cities, however, received cash for a player whose scoring fell from 8.9 points per game with the Blackhawks to 2.6 in Minneapolis. That makes the seller's decision defensible and keeps the grading close.
Final Verdict
Lakers Win — Minneapolis B+, Tri-Cities B. Minneapolis purchased Billy Hassett's player rights from the Tri-Cities Blackhawks on December 7, 1949. Hassett had averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 assists in 18 games for Tri-Cities, then accepted a much smaller role on the loaded Lakers: 42 regular-season games at 2.6 points and 1.6 assists plus seven playoff appearances as Minneapolis won the 1950 NBA championship. The sale amount is not preserved in the reviewed public record.