The Lakers Spent Two Future Picks on Hightower's Rights
The Lakers obtained Cory Hightower's player rights from San Antonio during the June 28, 2000 NBA draft, sending their second-round selections in 2001 and 2002 to the Spurs. Los Angeles had just won a championship and could afford to search for an inexpensive forward without depending on him for immediate starting minutes. Hightower had played college basketball at Indian Hills and been evaluated as a physical scorer. San Antonio preferred two future chances to draft players rather than hold one prospect from the current class.
Hightower Signed but Was Waived Before Opening Night
Los Angeles signed Hightower to a multi-year agreement in August 2000, giving him a legitimate roster opportunity. The club released him on October 30, before the 2000-01 regular season began, according to its transaction archive. Hightower never appeared in an NBA regular-season game for the Lakers. The team went on to win another championship, but his preseason audition was not part of that playing achievement. His development and activity outside the league cannot be converted into franchise NBA games after the waiver.
San Antonio Used Both Second-Round Selections
The incoming 2001 selection landed at No. 55 and was used on center Robertas Javtokas. The 2002 pick became No. 56 Randy Holcomb. Those were actual draft selections, not conditional obligations that evaporated before draft night. Neither player produced a regular-season NBA appearance for San Antonio from this pair of selections. Javtokas in particular had a notable basketball career abroad, but European club performances are not Spurs NBA contributions. The genuine return was control of two draft opportunities rather than a proven NBA rotation player.
Two Draft Chances Beat a Player Who Never Reached the Roster
Both sides accepted development risks rather than trading established veterans. The Lakers' gamble on Hightower ended without a regular-season appearance, making the original high Los Angeles grade hard to defend. The Spurs did receive two picks that could have been used on different prospects, so their asset return was more tangible than an unsuccessful camp audition. Yet neither selection led to Spurs NBA playing time and the original B+ grade also overstated the final sporting outcome. A modest San Antonio win captures the asymmetry without assigning imagined contributions.
Final Verdict
Spurs Win. San Antonio earns C+ for receiving two actual future selections, 2001 No. 55 Robertas Javtokas and 2002 No. 56 Randy Holcomb, despite neither becoming a Spurs NBA contributor. Los Angeles earns D+ for Cory Hightower, who signed in August 2000 but was waived October 30 without playing a Lakers regular-season game. The former high grades exaggerated both teams' realized production.