New York acquired Truck Robinson from Phoenix on July 7, 1982 for Maurice Lucas. Robinson gave the Knicks 148 regular-season games across parts of three seasons, starting 140, and averaged 9.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in his first New York year. Lucas became a much larger Phoenix piece: 215 games across three seasons, 162 starts, an All-Star selection in 1982-83, and averages of 16.5 points and 10.4 rebounds that first season. Both teams received productive veteran forwards, but Lucas delivered more games, more starting value and the higher peak, giving Phoenix the stronger realized return.
The July 7, 1982 swap was straightforward: New York received Truck Robinson, and Phoenix received Maurice Lucas. Unlike many historical trades in this archive, both incoming players immediately became regular starters and stayed beyond a single season. The question is therefore not whether either side got value, but which veteran produced more of it.
Robinson played 81 regular-season games for the Knicks in 1982-83, starting 76. He averaged 30.0 minutes, 9.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. He returned for 65 games in 1983-84 and started 63, averaging 10.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. Robinson also appeared in 18 playoff games across those two seasons, starting all of them. His final Knicks season was brief: two games and one start in 1984-85. That gives New York 148 regular-season games and 140 starts from Robinson.
Lucas made an even larger immediate impact. In 1982-83 he played 77 regular-season games, started 71 and averaged 16.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He earned an All-Star selection that season and received MVP votes. Phoenix got both high-end production and heavy minutes from him right away. Lucas returned for 75 games and 69 starts in 1983-84, averaging 15.9 points and 9.7 rebounds. He then played 63 more games in 1984-85, starting 22 and averaging 13.4 points and 8.8 rebounds. Across three Phoenix seasons, Lucas played 215 regular-season games and started 162.
Robinson was a useful Knicks starter and helped New York reach the playoffs in both 1982-83 and 1983-84. His return was legitimate enough that this trade cannot be treated as a bad move for New York. Lucas, however, gave Phoenix 67 more regular-season games, 22 more starts and substantially more scoring. His 1982-83 All-Star season also produced a level of individual recognition Robinson did not match in New York. The Suns therefore received both the better peak and the longer direct tenure.
Suns Win, A-/B. Phoenix receives an A- for three productive seasons, 215 games, 162 starts and an All-Star year from Lucas. New York receives a B because Robinson was a durable two-year starter and playoff contributor, but his direct value was lower in both volume and peak impact.