Orlando Paid for Seattle Not to Use Pick No. 2 on Scott
The June 27, 1990 draft-day agreement was unusual because Seattle promised not to choose a particular prospect. The SuperSonics held the second overall choice, while Orlando was picking fourth and strongly wanted Georgia Tech scorer Dennis Scott. To preserve its opportunity, Orlando committed two future second-round picks to Seattle. The arrangement did not trade Scott himself, since he had yet to be selected or sign an NBA contract. Seattle went on to choose Gary Payton at No. 2, and Orlando obtained Scott at No. 4 after Denver selected Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf third.
Scott Became a Longtime Magic Shooting Threat
Orlando's protected choice turned into one of the franchise's important early perimeter scorers. Scott joined a young expansion-era Magic team and built his reputation around high-volume three-point shooting. He remained a central offensive player through the club's ascent alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, including its run to the 1995 NBA Finals. That lasting on-court value explains why Orlando was willing to surrender future second-round opportunities to reduce uncertainty on draft night. But Scott's production is a consequence of Orlando's own draft selection, not minutes Seattle literally transferred to Orlando in a player deal.
Seattle Obtained Two Picks Rather Than Scott
The compensation given to Seattle consisted of a 1993 second-round choice later listed at No. 42, Adonis Jordan, and a 1995 second-round choice ultimately identified as No. 55, Michael McDonald. Those picks had exchange value, even though neither was equivalent to a fourth overall selection. The 1995 choice moved again in a separate 1994 transaction involving Seattle and Golden State, so attributing Michael McDonald's later draft identity as a direct Seattle development story would overstate the result. Seattle also benefited enormously from independently selecting Payton, but his future career should not be credited as a return received from the Magic.
Both Teams Achieved Different Draft-Day Goals
The SuperSonics left the 1990 draft with the player they selected second and two extra future choices. Orlando used a small stream of draft capital to protect its favored option at fourth and then acquired a player who contributed for years. The contemporary reporting and both franchise transaction ledgers support that limited structure; they do not support calling it a Scott-for-two-picks player exchange. Orlando's enduring benefit outweighs Seattle's modest additional selections, while the Sonics still deserve a fair grade for extracting value from a commitment consistent with their selection plans.
Final Verdict
Magic Win. Orlando earns A because paying two future second-round selections helped ensure it could take Dennis Scott fourth overall, a long-term perimeter contributor. Seattle gets C+ for receiving the 1993 No. 42 and 1995 No. 55 draft positions. Seattle drafted Gary Payton independently at No. 2; neither Payton's career nor a fictional direct trade of Scott's player rights should inflate the compensation from this agreement.