Chris Gatling was an all star PF/C averaging 19ppg/8 reb as a Mav in only about 27 min
Granted he played well in his time as a Maverick, the 5 year contract they signed him to quickly became a mistake. The 96-97 season was his 6th year in the league and was his best.
Sam Cassell was Jason Kidd's replacement averaging around 18ppg/ 8 ast for most of his productive career and did not even get a fair chance here
Cassell was here for 16 games, he was in his 4th season, and he was 27. Previous three years 6.7 / 2.9, 9.5 / 4.9, 14.5 / 4.6. Those are nowhere near 18 / 8, nor were they that productive. Only after Dallas traded him, did he become a great ball player and reach 18 / 8.
Was he Kidd’s replacement? Who knows, obviously Nelson didn’t like him.
Jim Jackson averaged around 20ppg/5 reb and was a good young talent
JJ was good. JJ was also injury prone. He had his best season with the Mavs.
George McCloud was good for 18ppg/4 reb
McCloud was a spare. He averaged 14 / 3 the year we traded him. All he did was chuck up 3s, 95-96 avg 8.6 3pt apg, 96-97 avg 5 3pt apg . Remember, he holds the NBA record for 678 3 pt attempts in a season.
Well if I remember correctly, Don Nelson thought he would be great in a zone defense. What Don Nelson over looked or did not know at the time of the trade was the defensive three second rule.
You are incorrect here. Bradley was traded for on February 17, 1997. Illegal defense was eliminated and the three second rule was put in place for the 01-02 season.
Bradley did alter shots but was not even up to par with Manute Bol in the blocked shot category. He was a below average rebounder for his size.
All-time shot block list #11- Shawn Bradley (2119). #12-Manute Bol (2086)
Bradley - - 8.1 / 6.3 / 2.5 (12 years)
Bol - - 2.6 / 4.2 / 3.3 (10 seasons, really 8, last two seasons consisted of GP 14 & 5)
Yes, Bol blocked a ton of shots, but what else did he do?
All in all, Nelson was hired as the GM on February 7, 1997.
The Kidd for Cassell/Finley deal was December 26, 1996.
The Bradley deal was February 17, 1997.
He did the right the thing. Jim Cleamons was the coach for crying out loud! Nelson took over the next year and endured two pretty crappy seasons before the ship was turned in the right direction.
Good trades = Kurt Nimphius for James Donaldson, Robert Traylor for Dirk
Bad trades = Harris for Kidd, Donaldson for Brian Quinnett, and at the time Pat Garrity, Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells, 1999 first rounder (Marion) for Nash