Cincinnati sold Tom Hawkins's player rights to the Los Angeles Lakers on September 14, 1966. Hawkins became a useful Lakers rotation forward for three seasons, playing 228 regular-season games from 1966-67 through 1968-69. His best season came in 1967-68, when he averaged 11.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 31.6 minutes across 78 games. Cincinnati received undisclosed cash and no traceable downstream basketball asset in the public transaction record. The Lakers therefore realized clearly measurable on-court value from the rights purchase, but the absence of a star-level or long-term return keeps the verdict in the modest-win range.
The Lakers purchased Tom Hawkins’ player rights from the Royals on September 14, 1966. Cincinnati received cash, while Los Angeles took control of a veteran forward who immediately entered the rotation.
Hawkins played 228 regular-season games for Los Angeles from 1966-67 through 1968-69. His best year came in 1967-68, when he averaged 11.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 31.6 minutes across 78 games.
The Royals received undisclosed cash and no traceable downstream basketball asset in the public record. The missing sale amount means the Cincinnati side should not be treated as worthless even though the basketball return went to Los Angeles.
Three seasons of rotation production support the A- for Los Angeles against Cincinnati’s C+. Hawkins was useful rather than a franchise star, which keeps the result below the most lopsided historical grades.
Lakers Win — Los Angeles A-, Cincinnati C+. Cincinnati sold Tom Hawkins's player rights to the Los Angeles Lakers on September 14, 1966. Hawkins became a useful Lakers rotation forward for three seasons, playing 228 regular-season games from 1966-67 through 1968-69.