The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

May 14, 1998: C - Webb sent to Sacramento for the Rock

The Washington Wizards traded F Chris Webber to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for G Mitch Richmond and F Otis Thorpe.

1998 - ‘99 Salaries:

Chris Webber, Sac. : $10 M

Mitch Richmond, Was.: $2.5 M

Otis Thorpe, Was. : $4.4 M

Notes:

• Thorpe and Richmond’s contracts expire in the summer of 1999.
• Webber is signed through the 2000-01 season to a six-year, $58.5 million contract.

Who got the better of the deal?

Washington.

Why?

"I understand when you do trade young for old and big for little, you're open for criticism. But we desperately needed proven leadership and someone to get you a basket," said Wizards General Manager Wes Unseld.

Unseld’s comments succinctly summarize the reason the trade was made.

Webber, 25, has a lot of potential and athleticism. However, he has yet to show he has the ability to carry a team on his shoulders and lead by good example. His off - court problems notwithstanding, Chris has yet to exhibit the on - court skills necessary to raise his team to another level.

He does improve the Kings front court athleticism, strength, and quickness. However, the question still lingers: can he mature and lead the Kings to higher levels of play?

Mitch Richmond, 33,  enables the Wizards to move Calbert Cheaney to small forward and Juwan Howard to power forward which will be a better fit for the team as well as the players.

If the Wizards re - sign G Rod Strickland, they would have a starting line - up that compliments each other as opposed to previous years when Howard and Webber repeated the same skills game in and game out at the forward spots.

Otis Thorpe should back up Juwan at big forward and also be a back up center. Otis will give the Wizards a tough, physical presence and solid rebounding.

Also, with this trade, the Wizards rid themselves of Webber’s big contract and gained salary cap flexibility next summer. Richmond, Thorpe, and Cheaney are free agents in 1999.