The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

by: Kris Gardner

August 7, 1997: "Otis gets his wish"

The Detroit Pistons sent F Otis Thorpe to the Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for a conditional first round draft pick.

Note: The pick will be from selections 2 through 18. Vancouver may convey the pick to Detroit between 1998 and 2003. The Grizzlies must inform Detroit of the plans involving the draft pick by June 1st of each year.

1997 - 1998 Salaries:

Otis Thorpe, Van.: $5.8 M

Who got the better of the deal?

Vancouver.

Why?

Otis Thorpe requested a trade after the 1996 - ‘97 season. He and Detroit head coach Doug Collins had a public feud and could no longer co - exist. Thorpe will give Vancouver a quality rebounder which the Grizzlies have sorely lacked. He will also provide veteran leadership to young players like C Bryant Reeves and F Shareef Abdur - Rahim and F Roy Rogers. With Thorpe, Vancouver becomes the only NBA team to have 3 rebounders rank in the top 40 from last season.

Otis will make $5.8 M for the ‘97 - ‘98 season and $6.0 M for the ‘98 - ‘99 season.

Detroit was looking to trade Thorpe, as he requested, and free up salary cap room. They obtained a first round pick for Otis just as they had traded a first round pick to acquire Otis from Portland in 1995. With a salary cap space of $5.8 M created, Detroit hopes to utilize it and re - sign free agents G Lindsey Hunter and F Terry Mills plus free agent F / C Brian Williams.