Los Angeles Acquired Sedale Threatt for Three Distant Seconds
On October 2, 1991, the Lakers acquired veteran point guard Sedale Threatt from the Seattle SuperSonics. Seattle received second-round selections in 1994, 1995 and 1996, later associated with Dontonio Wingfield, Martin Lewis and Jeff Nordgaard. The Lakers needed a capable backcourt veteran as the final Magic Johnson era was giving way to an entirely different roster, while Seattle had Gary Payton developing as its primary point guard. A three-pick package was more future capital than is usually attached to a single backup, but all three choices were late in the draft. There was no first-rounder, no additional Lakers veteran and no cash as part of the direct agreement.
Threatt Started Every Game in Two Consecutive Laker Seasons
Threatt became much more important than a routine reserve acquisition. In 1991-92 he appeared in all 82 Lakers games and started every one, averaging 15.1 points, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals. He followed by starting all 82 in 1992-93, again scoring 15.1 points while distributing 6.9 assists. The veteran stabilized the point guard position at a difficult moment and provided a reliable scorer when the team needed new offensive leadership. He remained with Los Angeles through 1995-96, gradually moving into a smaller reserve role. The inherited Lakers Win verdict therefore has a direct multi-year basketball basis, without assigning his earlier Seattle statistics or the accomplishments of other Lakers guards to the trade. The first two Lakers seasons alone far exceeded what a typical late second-round selection produces.
Seattle Collected Picks Without Replacing His Immediate Production
The SuperSonics obtained three future second-round assets that might have been traded or used to test inexpensive prospects. The resulting selections were later associated with Wingfield, Lewis and Nordgaard, but their professional NBA careers should be counted only for the teams actually employing them, not automatically as Seattle playing production. Seattle was already building around Payton and Shawn Kemp, so relinquishing another guard was consistent with its changing rotation. The pick return offered inexpensive flexibility rather than a single proven replacement starter. The Lakers received a point guard able to handle full seasons of starting responsibility and help the club navigate an unexpected roster transition. This large difference between immediate playing value and eventual draft optionality explains why Los Angeles has the stronger inherited evaluation.
Final Verdict
Lakers Win. Los Angeles acquired Sedale Threatt for three second-round picks and received all 82 starts in both 1991-92 and 1992-93, with 15.1 points per game in each season. Seattle held the choices associated with Dontonio Wingfield, Martin Lewis and Jeff Nordgaard instead of a comparable incoming starting guard.