Even Trade

Seattle received Eugene Short / Gene Short; 1979 conditional first round pick (Short failed to remain on Sonics roster for specified length of time) (#6-James Bailey); reported $1.5M cash and sent Spencer Haywood. The realized values are close enough that a directional verdict would overstate the separation. The grading is retrospective: named draft selections are evaluated by what they became, while unknown or still-protected picks are kept conservative. Later unrelated transactions are not credited as if they were guaranteed at the time of this deal. The assessment also weighs roster fit, competitive-window timing, asset depth and whether the incoming value remained useful beyond a short rental.