What if the Cavs traded Mark Price instead of Kevin Johnson?

[L.Kizzle]

What if the Cavs traded Mark Price instead of Kevin Johnson?
Would things have been much different for both franchises in the late 80s up until the mid 90s?
Cleveland acquired a rookie Mark Price from Dallas in 1986 and selected Kevin Johnson in 1987.
Kevin was a high lottery pick and Mark a 2nd round surprise. Why would you trade your lottery pick?


Team vs Team Stats
Cleveland
88 Cavs - 42 Wins (1st Round)
89 Cavs - 57 Wins (1st Round)
90 Cavs - 42 Wins (1st Round; Brad D 40 games; Harper 7 games)
91 Cavs - 33 Wins (Price 16 games)
92 Cavs - 57 Wins (Conf Finals)
93 Cavs - 54 Wins (Conf Semi)
94 Cavs - 47 Wins (1st Round; Brad D half season)
95 Cavs - 43 Wins (1st Round; Brad D retired)


Phoenix
88 Suns - 28 Wins (1st Round)
89 Suns - 55 Wins (Conf Finals)
90 Suns - 54 Wins (Conf Finals)
91 Suns - 55 Wins (1st Round)
92 Suns - 53 Wins (Conf Semi)
93 Suns - 62 Wins (NBA Finals)
94 Suns - 56 Wins (Conf Semi)
95 Suns - 59 Wins (Conf Semi)


Player vs Player
Mark Price
88 - 16 Pts | 6 Ast | 2 Reb | 1 Stl
89 - 19 Pts | 8 Ast | 3 Reb | 2 Stl | All-NBA 3 | All-Star | MVP 10
90 - 19 Pts | 9 Ast | 3 Reb | 2 Stl
91 - 17 Pts | 10 Ast | 3 Reb | 3 Stl
92 - 17 Pts | 7 Ast | 2 Reb | 1 Stl | All-NBA 3 | MVP 7
93 - 18 Pts | 8 Ast | 3 Reb | 1 Stl | All-NBA 1 | All-Star | MVP 8
94 - 17 Pts | 8 Ast | 3 Reb | 1 Stl | All-NBA 3 | All-Star | MVP 9
95 - 16 Pts | 7 Ast | 2 Reb | 1 Stl


Kevin Johnson
88 - 13 Pts | 9 Ast | 4 Reb | 2 Stl
89 - 20 Pts | 12 Ast | 4 Reb | 2 Stl | All-NBA 2 | MVP 8
90 - 23 Pts | 11 Ast | 4 Reb | 1 Stl | All-NBA 2 | All-Star
91 - 22 Pts | 10 Ast | 4 Reb | 2 Stl | All-NBA 2 | All-Star | 7
92 - 20 Pts | 11 Ast | 4 Reb | 2 Stl | All-NBA 2 | MVP 15
93 - 16 Pts | 8 Ast | 2 Reb | 2 Stl
94 - 20 Pts | 9 Ast | 3 Reb | 2 Stl | All-NBA 2 | All-Star | MVP 11
95 - 16 Pts | 8 Ast | 3 Reb | 1 Stl|

[Xiao Yao You]

Price was already really good. Go with the proven guy over potential

[L.Kizzle]

Price was already really good. Go with the proven guy over potential

Proven? Mark wasn't some 7 year veteran. One is 86 draft and one is 87 draft.

[Xiao Yao You]

Proven? Mark wasn't some 7 year veteran. One is 86 draft and one is 87 draft.

16 pts 51%/49%/88% 6 ass. Almost the rare 50/50/90 in 2nd year. He established himself

[L.Kizzle]

16 pts 51%/49%/88% 6 ass. Almost the rare 50/50/90 in 2nd year. He established himself
So you trade your lottery pick 50 games into the season?

[Xiao Yao You]

So you trade your lottery pick 50 games into the season?

If you think the other guy is your guy and you can get something for him

Jazz should have traded all star Rickey Green as soon as they saw Stockton. Instead they lost him in the expansion draft for nothing

[90sgoat]

Charles Barkley would have appreciated it and honestly Phoenix might give Bulls a run for their money.

Barkley actually disrespected KJ in one of those talkshows where he said he always wished he played with a real point guard like Stockton and someone pointed out he played with KJ.

I guess Barkley didn't think too highly of KJ.

Mark Price was a significantly better point guard than KJ, not to take anything away from KJ, because he was Derrick Rose before Derrick Rose, but under control and with a jumper. The man had insane hops:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veq36YR9gE0

That said, Mark Price was a bonafide star if he had played on a better team. Lightning quick, 10 assist pr game, all time great 3 point shooter, great defender.

He'd be perfect with Barkley for that inside-out combo that they lacked. Hit those open 3s from Barkley passes from the post.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y39CjIfgjoI

[Round Mound]

IMO KJ is a Top 75 Player Of All Time. I hope he gets picked atleast for the Top 100 Players Of All Time.

[90sgoat]

IMO KJ is a Top 75 Player Of All Time. I hope he gets picked atleast for the Top 100 Players Of All Time.

Better or worse than Price?

I pick Price quite easily but KJ is very underrated too. KJ was a very exciting player, big star, very popular.

[Xiao Yao You]

Charles Barkley would have appreciated it and honestly Phoenix might give Bulls a run for their money.

Barkley actually disrespected KJ in one of those talkshows where he said he always wished he played with a real point guard like Stockton and someone pointed out he played with KJ.

I guess Barkley didn't think too highly of KJ.

Mark Price was a significantly better point guard than KJ, not to take anything away from KJ, because he was Derrick Rose before Derrick Rose, but under control and with a jumper. The man had insane hops:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veq36YR9gE0

That said, Mark Price was a bonafide star if he had played on a better team. Lightning quick, 10 assist pr game, all time great 3 point shooter, great defender.

He'd be perfect with Barkley for that inside-out combo that they lacked. Hit those open 3s from Barkley passes from the post.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y39CjIfgjoI

Don't think he was known for his D or speed or 10 assists a game. Great shooter and the Cavs were one of the best teams for a while.

[Xiao Yao You]

IMO KJ is a Top 75 Player Of All Time. I hope he gets picked atleast for the Top 100 Players Of All Time.

Injured too much. Peaked early on

[kawhileonard2]

This is like asking do you trade Lebron at the #1 pick for Tmac after the 2003 season and the answer is yes.

[L.Kizzle]

This is like asking do you trade Lebron at the #1 pick for Tmac after the 2003 season and the answer is yes.

No it's not. We need an example that actually happened.
One example could be Ralph Sampson and Olajuwon. They didn't trade Ralph (at first) because they drafted Olajuwon. The played together for 4 seasons and made the Finals.

Or even Eddie Jones-Kobe. Imagine trading Kobe halfway thru his rookie season or even in the playoffs after the airballs because they had Eddie Jones.

Cavs didn't even give it a real shot with those two.

[Xiao Yao You]

No it's not. We need an example that actually happened.
One example could be Ralph Sampson and Olajuwon. They didn't trade Ralph (at first) because they drafted Olajuwon. The played together for 4 seasons and made the Finals.

Or even Eddie Jones-Kobe. Imagine trading Kobe halfway thru his rookie season or even in the playoffs after the airballs because they had Eddie Jones.

Cavs didn't even give it a real shot with those two.

They would have been off with just one of them. Sampson was best at the 5.

Kobe and Jones could play together and did.

You weren't going to play 2 little guys together in the 80's

February 25, 1988: Traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers (https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1988.html) with Tyrone Corbin (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/corbity01.html), Mark West (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westma01.html), a 1988 1st round draft pick (Dan Majerle (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/majerda01.html) was later selected), a 1988 2nd round draft pick (Dean Garrett (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garrede01.html) was later selected) and a 1989 2nd round draft pick (Greg Grant (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/grantgr01.html) was later selected) to the Phoenix Suns (https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1988.html) for Larry Nance (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nancela01.html), Mike Sanders (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sandemi01.html) and a 1988 1st round draft pick (Randolph Keys (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/keysra01.html) was later selected).

Nance was a big part of those Cavs teams.The vet that a talented young up and coming team needed. Suns getting Corbin, West and Majerle eventually won the trade it looks like though

[L.Kizzle]

They would have been off with just one of them. Sampson was best at the 5.

Kobe and Jones could play together and did.

You weren't going to play 2 little guys together in the 80's

February 25, 1988: Traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers (https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1988.html) with Tyrone Corbin (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/corbity01.html), Mark West (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westma01.html), a 1988 1st round draft pick (Dan Majerle (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/majerda01.html) was later selected), a 1988 2nd round draft pick (Dean Garrett (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garrede01.html) was later selected) and a 1989 2nd round draft pick (Greg Grant (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/grantgr01.html) was later selected) to the Phoenix Suns (https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1988.html) for Larry Nance (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nancela01.html), Mike Sanders (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sandemi01.html) and a 1988 1st round draft pick (Randolph Keys (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/keysra01.html) was later selected).

Nance was a big part of those Cavs teams.The vet that a talented young up and coming team needed. Suns getting Corbin, West and Majerle eventually won the trade it looks like though

The only big guards in the 80s were Jordan and Drexler and Gervin. Joe Dumars was 6'2, 190 and could barley dunk and was Finals MVP.
Harper could be the 3.

[Xiao Yao You]

The only big guards in the 80s were Jordan and Drexler and Gervin. Joe Dumars was 6'2, 190 and could barley dunk and was Finals MVP.
Harper could be the 3.

plenty of big guards like Harper. Nance made more sense next to a non shot blocking center than KJ and Price did

[Xiao Yao You]

similar to the Kings trading their other pg because they had Fox

[L.Kizzle]

plenty of big guards like Harper. Nance made more sense next to a non shot blocking center than KJ and Price did
There wasn't a lot of big guards in the 80s. They were just getting into the big guard trend in the mid 80s. Gervin was the only big guard and he might have actually been a SF up until a certain point. Dennis Johnson wasn't huge, Sidney Moncrief. These guys are 6'2, 6'3 180, 190 SGs. Byron Scott. Otis Birdsong. World B Free.

Clyde was a SF in college. A 6'7 SG in the 1980s is HUGE.

[Xiao Yao You]

There wasn't a lot of big guards in the 80s. They were just getting into the big guard trend in the mid 80s. Gervin was the only big guard and he might have actually been a SF up until a certain point. Dennis Johnson wasn't huge, Sidney Moncrief. These guys are 6'2, 6'3 180, 190 SGs. Byron Scott. Otis Birdsong. World B Free.

Clyde was a SF in college. A 6'7 SG in the 1980s is HUGE.

Scott 6'4. He guarded pg. Magic guarded sg, 6'6 Cooper off the bench behind both. Moncrief 6'4 and great defender. Dumars was smaller but could defend. Who is defending the 2's with Price and KJ? Cavs had Harper and his eventually replacement Ehlo. Both big guards. Walter Davis 6'6. Griffith 6'4. His replacement Hansen 6'6 though he sucked. Westphal 6'4. Ainge 6'5. Other than Detroit can't think of another that played two guys that small off hand and Dumars allowed them to do it

[tpols]

Charles Barkley would have appreciated it and honestly Phoenix might give Bulls a run for their money.

Barkley actually disrespected KJ in one of those talkshows where he said he always wished he played with a real point guard like Stockton and someone pointed out he played with KJ.

I guess Barkley didn't think too highly of KJ.

Mark Price was a significantly better point guard than KJ, not to take anything away from KJ, because he was Derrick Rose before Derrick Rose, but under control and with a jumper. The man had insane hops:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veq36YR9gE0

That said, Mark Price was a bonafide star if he had played on a better team. Lightning quick, 10 assist pr game, all time great 3 point shooter, great defender.

He'd be perfect with Barkley for that inside-out combo that they lacked. Hit those open 3s from Barkley passes from the post.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y39CjIfgjoI

Man Mark Price looked legit. Mailman physique but balling. Looking like John Stockton but thicker with a cleaner jump shot. He wasn't apart of the NBA WWE agenda though. Totally unmarketable.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.ranker.com/list/best-80s-shooting-guards/ranker-nba

only guys here under 6'4 are DJ, World B., Toney, Birdsong and Chapman. DJ great defender. Cheeks next to Toney great defender. Who's defending the bigger guards out of KJ and Price?

[tpols]

I just rewatched the highlight tape and holy shit... Mark Price could BALL. Not only a sniper shooter but the passing halfway through the mixtape was insane. He was throwing wild creative passes like jwill or magic.

[tontoz]

I just rewatched the highlight tape and holy shit... Mark Price could BALL. Not only a sniper shooter but the passing halfway through the mixtape was insane. He was throwing wild creative passes like jwill or magic.

Mark Price in this era would be nasty with the better spacing. One of the best jumpers ever with a very quick release. He could pull up off the dribble at any time.

He attempted 5 3s per game back in 1990.

[SATAN]

Man Mark Price looked legit.

He was a 4 time All-Star. :wtf:

[90sgoat]

Man Mark Price looked legit. Mailman physique but balling. Looking like John Stockton but thicker with a cleaner jump shot. He wasn't apart of the NBA WWE agenda though. Totally unmarketable.

Just the wrong era for him, if he had played at the time of Steve Nash, he'd have been a star. Mark Price actually had a handle and was really quick, just as quick as anyone his position. Cavs were just not an exciting team. Daugherty was sort of ok offensively, which meant, it being the 90s, that Price had to sacrifice to get Daugherty the ball. I believe a very old Larry Nance was on those teams too.

But yeah, Price was legit, one of the most underrated of many great point guards of the early to mid 90s, Hardway, KJ, Stockton, Payton, Penny and then the lesser but still ok, like Mookie Blaylock, Mugsy Bogues, Marc Jackson, Avery Bradley, Terry Porter on his last legs.

[Xiao Yao You]

Just the wrong era for him, if he had played at the time of Steve Nash, he'd have been a star. Mark Price actually had a handle and was really quick, just as quick as anyone his position. Cavs were just not an exciting team. Daugherty was sort of ok offensively, which meant, it being the 90s, that Price had to sacrifice to get Daugherty the ball. I believe a very old Larry Nance was on those teams too.

But yeah, Price was legit, one of the most underrated of many great point guards of the early to mid 90s, Hardway, KJ, Stockton, Payton, Penny and then the lesser but still ok, like Mookie Blaylock, Mugsy Bogues, Marc Jackson, Avery Bradley, Terry Porter on his last legs.

Avery Bradley? I thought the Cavs were exciting. Daugherty(a lot more than ok), Price, Harper, Nance, Hot Rod...

[L.Kizzle]

Avery Bradley? I thought the Cavs were exciting. Daugherty(a lot more than ok), Price, Harper, Nance, Hot Rod...

Probably meant Avery Johnson.

[90sgoat]

Avery Bradley? I thought the Cavs were exciting. Daugherty(a lot more than ok), Price, Harper, Nance, Hot Rod...

I didn't like Daugherty. Kind of white bread, not really great at anything.

[Xiao Yao You]

I didn't like Daugherty. Kind of white bread, not really great at anything.

Great passer

[Norcaliblunt]

Charles Barkley would have appreciated it and honestly Phoenix might give Bulls a run for their money.

Barkley actually disrespected KJ in one of those talkshows where he said he always wished he played with a real point guard like Stockton and someone pointed out he played with KJ.

I guess Barkley didn't think too highly of KJ.

Mark Price was a significantly better point guard than KJ, not to take anything away from KJ, because he was Derrick Rose before Derrick Rose, but under control and with a jumper. The man had insane hops:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veq36YR9gE0

That said, Mark Price was a bonafide star if he had played on a better team. Lightning quick, 10 assist pr game, all time great 3 point shooter, great defender.

He'd be perfect with Barkley for that inside-out combo that they lacked. Hit those open 3s from Barkley passes from the post.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y39CjIfgjoI

Go read Barkley’s autobiography from 1990. He actually straight disses the Cavs and Mark Price saying Cleveland chose the wrong PG. lol.

[Norcaliblunt]

Mark Price and KJ are kinda 2 of the biggest what if’s from that era. Damn shame they couldn’t have stayed healthier longer.

[90sgoat]

Mark Price and KJ are kinda 2 of the biggest what if’s from that era. Damn shame they couldn’t have stayed healthier longer.

History is cruel to the second best.

I mean, just someone like Dominque Wilkins who is basically Zion, people don't really care, despite Nique being one of the most athletic dunkers of all time, who was actually also a good player.

[90sgoat]

Go read Barkley’s autobiography from 1990. He actually straight disses the Cavs and Mark Price saying Cleveland chose the wrong PG. lol.

Barkley was a dumbass and buffoon until he got older. Probably just racism, seemed to be a lot of anti-white racism in the 1980s. He got wiser later on.

[BarberSchool]

KJ was an undersized 2/3 at heart, thru and thru. He just played PG. Literally couldn’t shoot the 3 at all. Barely ever attempted them due to being so bad at 3’s. Could poke it on your PF/C tho, which is great for fan excitement when a small guy puts a facial on the opp big.

Price was an actual PG.

Both very good, borderline great players.
I’d take Price due to much better shooting, league leading FT shooting (4th q really pays to have a 95%FT handling ball) , superior passing in half court, much more willing passer in open court, much better versatility offensively, and every bit as good of defense as KJ.