The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

December 18, 1997:

The Detroit Pistons acquired 3rd year G Jerry Stackhouse and C Eric Montross from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for shot blocking F Theo Ratliff, G Aaron McKie, and future draft considerations.

1997 - ‘98 Salaries:

J. Stackhouse, Det.: $2.583 M

Eric Montross, Det.: $1.52 M

Aaron McKie, Phi.: $1.235 M

Theo Ratliff, Phi.: $928 K

Notes:

• Ratliff and Stackhouse can be free agents next summer.

• Montross claims he can opt out of his contract after each season and become a free agent (although the league disputes that fact and may file a grievance if Montross opts out of his contract).

• The Pistons will send Philly a first round pick in the next 8 years, at Detroit’s discretion.

• The Sixers will send Detroit a second round pick in the next 10 years, at Philly’s discretion.

Who got the better of the deal?

Detroit.

Why?

Detroit addressed 2 needs in the trade.  Stackhouse, 23, gives them another scoring option and Montross, 26, gives them size at the center position.

Stackhouse is a scorer, not a shooter. He shot 41 percent in his rookie season and 40 percent last season.  However, he is shooting 45 percent and averaging 16 points per game this season.  He has not improved his ball handling since his rookie season. He could become the starter at shooting guard and move veteran G Joe Dumars to the bench.  Dumars has struggled all season with injuries and may retire after this season.

Jerry had already told the Sixers he was not going to re - sign with them next summer; so, Philly had been trying to deal him since late in the summer. He and Allen Iverson never meshed there talents.  One of them had to go.

"I honestly think that Allen Iverson has tendencies to score," Stackhouse said Wednesday night, when it became obvious his time in Philadelphia had grown very short. "Since I've been here, I haven't had an opportunity to fulfill my potential, partly because I haven't played with a distributor."  He’ll get his chance w/ Detroit’s Grant Hill.

Detroit coach Doug Collins said, "Hopefully, he'll sign in the off-season and be part of the Pistons' future.  Jerry is in the last year of his contract, and you know he'll play his butt off. And we didn't think we'd be able to re-sign Theo.  We didn't want to lose him like we did Allan Houston and Terry Mills."

Also, if Stackhouse and the Pistons do not make a good fit, Detroit can not re - sign him and utilize his $2.583 M to provide additional salary cap room.  The Pistons may be anywhere from $10 to $17 M under the cap next summer.

Montross, the 7-foot Indianapolis native, has declined steadily as a player since Boston selected him ninth in the 1994 draft.  His confidence has been shot. Eric will be playing for his fifth team in four seasons.  He averaged 10 points and 7.3 rebounds as a rookie; however, his numbers have declined to only 3.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg despite starting 20 games this season.

Detroit should start Montross at center and move Brian Williams to power forward giving the club more size.  However, Williams may remain at center and Don Reid or Grant Long may start at power forward.  It is possible for Jerome Williams to start; however, he seems better suited to coming off the bench; providing energy; rebounding; and finishing the ball game.

"We felt like we really needed to make a move," said Larry Brown, the Sixers' coach and head of basketball operations. "Things weren't going as well as we would've liked. It was time."

Ratliff, 24, 6’10”, is averaging 6.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks this season.  There was no way he was going to re - sign w/ Detroit because of his relationship w/ Collins.  In fact, Theo turned down a 6 - yr., $18 M offer w/ incentives which could have made the deal worth $20 M this summer.  Theo will give the Sixers a shot blocker and intimidator in the starting unit. Although he isn’t big enough nor strong enough to play center, he will be the Sixers center w/ a healthy Derrick Coleman at power forward; rookie Tim Thomas at small forward; Jim Jackson at big guard; and Iverson at the point.

The Sixers hope moving Jackson to big guard will be a better fit w/ Iverson as opposed to Stackhouse.  Rookie Tim Thomas has impressed just about everyone w/ his athleticism, and shooting touch.  Larry Brown had promised to start Thomas earlier in the week (12 / 17) even if no trade was made. Now, as a starter, Thomas has a better chance to learn, grow, and shine.

McKie, 25, is averaging 4.5 points and about 20 minutes.  He played at Temple and is returning to his hometown.  He is not a great ball handler nor shooter. He will probably serve as back up to Jackson and Iverson and should provide some stability and leadership which the Sixers truly need.