From 1982
Ralph Sampson would have left for the NBA early if the Lakers were guaranteed to get the #1 pick that year. Meanwhile, the Lakers were working on a blockbuster trade with 3 other teams (3rd team undisclosed). Here's how part of it would have shaped up --
Proposed Trade
NY Knicks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (from LAL)
LA Lakers
Michael Ray Richardson (from NYK)
Utah Jazz
Bill Cartwright (from NYK)
Imagine the Lakers trading Kareem during the playoffs! :eek: This was broadcast during halftime of Game 4 of the ECF (Sixers/Celtics) that year.