San Diego acquired defensive back Tim Lucas from the…
San Diego acquired defensive back Tim Lucas from the Cardinals on June 22, 1987 for an eleventh-round choice in the 1988 draft. Chargers historical records support that date rather than the July date carried in the current entry. Lucas did not become a meaningful regular-season contributor in San Diego, while the Cardinals at least recovered a late selection. Arizona receives a restrained C+ to D+ win.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1988 eleventh round pick (selection not identified)
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Tim Lucas
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Chargers historical records place the Tim Lucas transaction on June 22, 1987. San Diego acquired the defensive back from the Cardinals in exchange for an eleventh-round selection in the 1988 draft. The date matters because the transaction should align with the club's own trade history rather than a later July date. The core package, however, is simple and well supported: Lucas went to San Diego and Arizona received a late draft choice.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
The Chargers paid very little to take a look at Lucas, which keeps the downside limited. An eleventh-round pick was a low-cost asset even in the larger drafts of that era. The problem is that Lucas did not convert the opportunity into meaningful regular-season value for San Diego. The club therefore spent a small asset without receiving a durable starter, important reserve or notable special-teams return.
Arizona Cardinals Return
Arizona recovered draft capital for a player who did not become consequential for the acquiring team. The exact downstream selection is not identified with enough confidence to award the Cardinals credit for a particular player's career, but the pick itself still had value. That modest return is stronger than simply releasing a player and stronger than the on-field value San Diego ultimately obtained.
Value in Hindsight
Neither side changed its franchise with this deal. The price was tiny, and the return to Arizona was a late-round selection whose precise conversion is uncertain. Still, San Diego's player return did not deliver enough production to offset even that small cost. The evidence therefore supports a Cardinals edge without a dramatic grade gap.
Final Verdict
Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Win is the proportional verdict. Arizona receives a C+ for converting Lucas into a draft asset. San Diego receives a D+ because the player did not create meaningful value after the trade. The supported date is June 22, 1987 while the public slug remains frozen.