Minnesota Reacquired a Guard It Had Waived Months Earlier
On January 12, 1996, the Timberwolves sent their 1996 second-round draft selection to the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies for Darrick Martin. Minnesota had waived Martin in November, after using him during the previous season, and Vancouver signed him as a free agent days afterward. The trade therefore amounted to paying a future draft choice to bring back an experienced backup guard. Minnesota needed another ball handler while Kevin Garnett was developing and Flip Saunders had only recently taken over as head coach. Vancouver chose a future scouting asset over retaining a guard it had used during its difficult inaugural months.
Martin Played 35 Games and Handled the Ball for the Wolves
Martin appeared in 35 Minnesota regular-season games during the remainder of 1995-96, starting 16. He logged 747 minutes, scored 254 points and distributed 156 assists, averages of 7.3 points and 4.5 assists in 21.3 minutes. He was not an elite scorer, but he provided tangible point-guard cover and an established relationship with the young organization. His earlier 24 Vancouver games that season should not be counted as Minnesota's new return, and his later work for the Clippers also belongs to another franchise. The incoming value was a specific 35-game second stint, rather than his entire NBA career.
Vancouver Traded the Pick to Orlando Before the Draft
The compensation selection became the 1996 second-round No. 49 pick, eventually used on Amal McCaskill. However, Vancouver did not choose McCaskill or receive his later NBA production. On February 22 the Grizzlies sent that selection and veteran Kenny Gattison to Orlando for Jeff Turner, who was soon waived in March. Orlando subsequently drafted McCaskill. The pick's movement is essential to evaluating the original deal: the Grizzlies converted it into a component of another veteran exchange, but Turner was obtained with two outgoing assets. Assigning all of Turner's arrival, or McCaskill's later career, to this January trade would exaggerate the return.
The Wolves Obtained the More Definite Playing Value
Martin's 35 appearances gave Minnesota an immediate reserve guard who could play considerable minutes and set up teammates. Vancouver received a second-round option and promptly spent it within a broader February deal, so the direct basketball benefits are harder to isolate. The Grizzlies had a reason to prefer an asset with future flexibility on an expansion roster, but neither the later Orlando pick nor the full Jeff Turner transaction should become invented Vancouver playing statistics. The modest Minnesota advantage follows the receiving-team record rather than a claim that Martin was a transformative player or that Vancouver's draft asset had no value at all.
Final Verdict
Wolves Win. Minnesota earns B+ for Darrick Martin's 35 games, 747 minutes and 156 assists after the January 1996 swap. Vancouver gets C+ for a second-round asset it later included with Kenny Gattison to acquire Jeff Turner. Orlando ultimately selected Amal McCaskill at No. 49, so the draft choice's eventual NBA career is not a Vancouver contribution.