The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

June 28, 2001

The Milwaukee Bucks dealt G Lindsey Hunter to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for C / F Greg Foster.

Notes:

• The teams were able to make the trade work because each had a trade exception.
• Foster slid into a $2.1 million exception the Bucks gained last year by dumping first-round flop Robert Traylor.
• Milwaukee also received a trade exception equaling Hunter’s salary plus about $200,000 in bonuses for next season.

2001 - 2002 player salaries:

Lindsey Hunter, $2.7 M.

Greg Foster, $1.76 M.

Who got the better of the deal?

Milwaukee.

Why?

With starting guard Derek Fisher just recently being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot, the Lakers felt they needed to acquire a point guard who could provide skills similar to Derek’s. Enter: Lindsey Hunter. If Fisher opts for surgery (his second surgery on his right foot in 9 months), he’ll face a four to six month recovery period.

Hunter is a good on the ball defender and a decent 3 point shooter. However, his shooting really struggled this past playoffs.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said, “He (Lindsey) got injured prior to the playoffs with his groin and never got his confidence back. Historically, he's been really good every year, so we write that off as a one-time thing.”

The Bucks made this deal in order to get forward Tim Thomas more playing time.

“We have to find a way to get Tim some more minutes,” Bucks GM Ernie Grunfeld said, “and I know (coach) George (Karl) wants to use him more at shooting guard.”

Milwaukee also hopes to give last year’s second round pick 6’5 guard Michael Redd minutes in the backcourt as a backup to Ray Allen or playing alongside Allen if the Bucks want to utilize a big backcourt.