Los Angeles Sent LeRoy Ellis to Baltimore for Jim Barnes
The Lakers traded LeRoy Ellis to the Bullets for Jim Barnes on September 22, 1966. The deal was a direct frontcourt swap, and both players contributed after changing teams.
NBA Trade Verdict
Bullets Win
Los Angeles traded LeRoy Ellis to Baltimore for Jim Barnes on September 22, 1966. Ellis became the stronger immediate asset, playing 311 regular-season games for the Bullets over four seasons. He averaged 14.9 points and 12.0 rebounds in 1966-67, then 12.4 points and 11.1 rebounds the next year. Barnes gave the Lakers 122 games across parts of two seasons, mostly in a reserve role, before moving on. The realized production therefore favors Baltimore by a clear margin, reversing the legacy Lakers-win framing while still recognizing that Barnes supplied useful frontcourt depth.
September 22, 1966 Los Angeles Lakers / Washington Wizards Record confidence: High
Los Angeles Lakers Received
- Player Jim Barnes
Washington Wizards Received
- Player LeRoy Ellis
Trade Analysis
Ellis Became a Four-Year Baltimore Regular
Ellis played 311 regular-season games for the Bullets. He averaged 14.9 points and 12.0 rebounds in 1966-67, then followed with 12.4 points and 11.1 rebounds the next season.
Barnes Supplied Shorter Lakers Depth
Barnes appeared in 122 games for Los Angeles across parts of two seasons, mostly in a reserve role. That was useful value, but the tenure and production were clearly smaller than Baltimore’s return from Ellis.
Baltimore Wins Without Erasing the Lakers’ Return
The A for Baltimore and B for Los Angeles capture a clear difference rather than a total mismatch. The Bullets received the stronger multi-season starter while the Lakers still got meaningful frontcourt minutes.
Final Verdict
Bullets Win — Los Angeles B, Baltimore A. Los Angeles traded LeRoy Ellis to Baltimore for Jim Barnes on September 22, 1966. Ellis became the stronger immediate asset, playing 311 regular-season games for the Bullets over four seasons.