Why did the Wizards traded Richard Hamilton to the Detroit Pistons?

[Lebron23]

http://www.michaeljordan.pl/zdjecia/artykuly/michael_jordan_rip_hamilton.jpg

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nba/_photos/2002-02-07-inside-wiz.jpg

Him and Jordan had a great chemistry together. And Rip averaged 20 ppg in his 3rd NBA Season, and he was one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA.

Yeah, Jerry Stackhouse was one of the league leaders in scoring in the NBA in the 2000-2001 NBA Season, but he only averaged 21.4 in the 2001-02 NBA Season.

In hindsight I think it's a terrible move by the Wizards. Hamilton was a very likeable player when he played for them.

[Rake2204]

Surely, in hindsight it was not a great move for the Wizards. However, at the time, there was a significant amount of people in the Detroit area who were left wondering "Wait, we just traded Jerry Stackhouse and that's all we got?"

Yes, Stackhouse's scoring average dipped in 2002, but it was completely by design. First year coach Rick Carlisle convinced Stackhouse to share the rock so the team could succeed as a whole. He took seven less shots per game and played five less minutes. As a result, it reinforced his leadership role with the team, willing to give to get.

On the heels of Stackhouse's leadership (and Ben Wallace's insane breakout), the Pistons won the Central Division for the first time in a decade and the city loved the team.

Jerry was only 27 years old, so when the Pistons were bounced by the Celtics in the 2nd round, it was surprising for the city to see their star traded in his prime, right after an awesome season, for someone whom we weren't sure was ever going to reach Stackhouse's level in the first place. As far as I knew, Hamilton was less-explosive and pretty much relied upon a mid-range jumper; I had no idea he'd fit as well as he did.

It is funny though, looking back at the numbers. We revered Stackhouse in '02, yet he shot under 40% from the field.

From an article at the time:


Then there is the other camp that believes this move makes it more likely Jordan will play because the trade seems to strengthen the Wizards. Hamilton and Stackhouse were comparable scorers last season--Hamilton averaged 20 points per game, Stackhouse 21.4. But Stackhouse averaged 29.8 per game in 2000-01, he has made the All-Star team twice and deserved to make it last season and is a more versatile player and a better defender.http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-09-12/sports/0209120239_1_ratko-varda-jerry-stackhouse-richard-rip-hamilton

[SourSamCassell]

Jerry Stacked

[Crown&Coke]

Stackhouse went to UNC, same place MJ went to school. He had tried to get UNC guys on his squad since his early Bulls days.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Stackhouse went to UNC, same place MJ went to school. He had tried to get UNC guys on his squad since his early Bulls days.
This, plus Stack was more in MJ's mold so MJ thought he would be better for the Wiz.

[ThickassGlasses]

Pre-facemask RIP just isn't the same force.

[pegasus]

Probably the same reason I gave this thread one star.

[JohnnySic]

Because Stackhouse was better at the time.

[ProfessorMurder]

Rip was always more of a role player, whereas people thought Stack could potentially somewhat carry a team.

[lilandywiggins]

Stack.