The Houston Roundball Review is an online basketball publication
by: Kris Gardner, United States Basketball Writers Association member. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Katrina McClain, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden awards.

The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

Nesby Dealt to Wizards in 3 Player Deal

November 28, 2000

“Clippers Send Nesby to Wizards”

The Los Angeles Clippers traded F Tyrone Nesby to the Washington Wizards in exchange for F / C Cherokee Parks and F Obinna Ekezie.

Note:

  • Parks and Ekezie will be free agents next summer.
  • Ekezie was waived on 11 / 29.

2000 - 2001 Player Salaries:

Tyrone Nesby, Was.: $3 M.

Cherokee Parks, LAC: $2.2 M.

Obinna Ekezie, LAC: $0.332 M.

Who got the better of the deal?

Los Angeles.

Why?

The Clippers had a glut at the shooting guard and small forward positions (Lamar Odom, Darius Miles, Corey Maggette, Quentin Richardson, and Eric Piatkowski) while possessing a little depth at power forward. This trade should help solve both problems.

“We had too many perimeter players and we felt we had to move somebody so we could be in a situation where there no longer was a logjam,” Clippers’ Coach Alvin Gentry said. “Trading Tyrone helps us get into a better rotation.”

The Clips were lacking so much at power forward that Odom, a natural small forward, had been playing major minutes at power forward.

“We have enough (shooting guards and small forwards),” Clippers vice president Elgin Baylor said. “We were looking for size and experience.”

Parks, 6’11, is a better shooter than he is a banger. But, he can be productive in the low post in the right system. Parks played high school ball in California; so, he’s returning home.

“Chief can step out on the floor and shoot the basketball,” Gentry said. “Hopefully, he'll fit better in our system. I know he's pretty excited about coming home.”

Ekezie, 6’9, has good foot work around the basket. He has the potential to be a good rebounder and defender.

Nesby, 6’6, is an athletic, slashing small forward. He should see significant playing time in Washington because the Wizards lack a scoring small forward.

“This transaction strengthens our roster,” Wizards president Michael Jordan said. “We are acquiring a quality young player in a position that we have a strong need.”

The one surprise about the Wizards acquiring Nesby is Tyrone has one more year left on a three contract after this season which means his 2001 - 2002 salary of approximately $3 M will eat into some of Washington’s planned salary cap room for the summer of 2002.