The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

February 18, 1998: "Thorpe Goes Back to Kings in Four Player Deal"

Vancouver trades F Otis Thorpe and G Chris Robinson to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for F Michael Smith and G Bobby Hurley.

1997 - ‘98 Salaries:

Otis Thorpe, Sac.: $5.7 M

Chris Robinson, Sac.: $325 K

Michael Smith, Van.: $1.92 M

Bobby Hurley, Van.: $3.55 M

Notes:

• The Kings are picking up about $500 K of Hurley’s salary.

Who got the better of the deal?

Vancouver.

Why?

Thorpe had asked to leave Vancouver when he was traded from Detroit in August.  He returns to the Kings who drafted him 1984. He’ll provide some veteran leadership, toughness, low post scoring, as well as rebounding.

Chris Robinson, 6’5, 200, is an athlete who can attack the basket and draw fouls. However, he isn’t a very good outside shooter.

Acquiring Thorpe and Robinson, allow the Kings to free up about $1.5 M this summer to use toward free agents.

Michael Smith, 25, is an animal when it comes to rebounding.

"I think on a per-minute basis he is actually a little bit better rebounder [than Thorpe]," said Vancouver GM Stu Jackson. "Michael also is a very intense competitor. He's got good bulk, he runs, he's aggressive and can guard a little bit out on the floor as well as in the post. We feel very confident he'll be able to step in and help us at that position."

Bobby Hurley leaves one glut of point guards and joins another. He’ll be competing for playing time with rookie Antonio Daniels and veteran Lee Mayberry.

"It could be a positive move for my career," Hurley said . "I enjoyed my time and teammates and I liked the fans in Sacramento. But it's important for me to get a fresh start. That's how I have to look at it."