NBA Trades: Ranking the Top 5 Deals in Utah Jazz History
By Ryan Aston
5) J.Malone Joins K.Malone with the Jazz; June 25, 1990
In a three-team deal, the Utah Jazz acquired Jeff Malone from the Washington Bullets. In return, Washington received Pervis Ellison from the Sacramento Kings, while the Jazz traded Bobby Hansen, Eric Leckner, a future first-round draft pick and two future second-round picks to the Sacramento. The Bullets also sent a future second-round pick to the Kings.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. The trade that netted the Jazz sharpshooter Jeff Malone was huge for the franchise. Not just in terms of what it brought them at the time, but in the future as well. I’ll get to that point later in the countdown.
During the 1980s, the other Malone was one of the league’s best scorers for the Washington Bullets. He was a maestro of the long two, knocking down 18-20 foot jump shots with deadly accuracy. In his younger days, he was also one of the best in the business at using screens and off-ball movement to get open shots.
He had his war wounds by the time he made his way to Salt Lake City. I have vivid memories of him laying on the court to soothe his aching back after getting subbed out of games. Nevertheless, he averaged 18.5 points per game over the course of nearly four years in Utah. That average still ranks in the Top 10 all-time for the Jazz.
He also appeared in 30 playoff games for the team and helped them reach the Western Conference Finals in 1992. Not bad for an old dog.
On the flipside, Bobby Hansen was out of the league not long after being moved, Eric Leckner was a career bench guy and the picks were of the late-round variety and yielded little return. I’d say that’s winning the deal.
Next: D-Will Cometh