The Lakers Converted Center Depth Into Backcourt Insurance
Los Angeles acquired guard Lindsey Hunter from Milwaukee for reserve center Greg Foster on June 28, 2001. The Lakers were coming off another championship and needed dependable perimeter depth for the effort to repeat. Hunter had been a regular rotation guard for Detroit before joining Milwaukee, and his defense plus outside shot offered an alternative alongside Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant. Foster had supplied limited center minutes during the Lakers' previous title season, when Shaquille O'Neal anchored the position. The deal moved an expendable frontcourt veteran for a guard who could start when needed, while Milwaukee tested whether Foster could provide inexpensive veteran size.
Hunter Appeared in Every Regular-Season Game for Los Angeles
Hunter played all 82 regular-season Lakers contests in 2001-02, starting 47 and averaging 5.8 points in 19.7 minutes. His scoring declined from his previous Milwaukee season, but he still made enough spot starts to be a regular part of the rotation. During the playoffs he appeared in 18 games as Los Angeles advanced past Portland, San Antonio, Sacramento and New Jersey to win the 2002 NBA title. Hunter was not the primary guard or star of the championship team; Bryant, O'Neal and the starters supplied far more offense. His specific return was availability, defense and rotation cover through a title season.
Foster Played Only 24 Minutes for Milwaukee
Milwaukee's playing return was minimal. Foster appeared in six regular-season Bucks games in 2001-02, logging a total of 24 minutes and seven points, with eight rebounds. He did not start and never became a rotation fixture for the team. Foster's prior 62-game 2000-01 Lakers season does not count as Milwaukee value merely because it demonstrated he had NBA experience before the deal. He subsequently appeared with Toronto in 2002-03, outside the Bucks' return. Milwaukee was looking for a veteran big man but received only an occasional deep reserve who had no meaningful role in the club's 41-41 season.
The One-Sided Minutes Explain the Verdict
The contrast between receiving-team results is striking: Hunter made 82 appearances and 47 starts for Los Angeles, while Foster provided six Milwaukee games and almost no minutes. Hunter's role continued into a postseason championship, further distinguishing the usefulness of his stint from that of an expendable roster piece. The Lakers' win does not require claiming that Hunter was a decisive player in the Finals. His 1,616 regular-season minutes and playoff availability were actual basketball contributions from the trade. Foster's seven Bucks points did not materially change Milwaukee's lineup. That difference supports giving Los Angeles a stronger positive grade and the Bucks a much lower one than the inherited evaluation.
Final Verdict
Lakers Win. Los Angeles earns B+ for Lindsey Hunter's 82 regular-season appearances, 47 starts and 18 playoff appearances on the 2002 championship team. Milwaukee gets D+ after Greg Foster logged just six games and 24 minutes. The direct playing returns were sharply unequal, despite both players having useful careers elsewhere.