When Billy King, the 76ers' president and general manager, flew to Boston for the Reebok Pro Summer League two weeks ago, he had more on his mind than evaluating young players.
Finally out from under the imposing shadow of Larry Brown, King was thinking trade from the moment he set foot in the gym at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.
And 10 days later, late Wednesday night, he turned that thought - and hard work - into results.
Thanks to inside knowledge of what his fellow general managers wanted and his ability to organize complex negotiations, King engineered a four-team deal that involved the Sixers, the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Sixers got forward Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson and a 2006 second-round pick from the Hawks, plus center Marc Jackson from the Timberwolves.
King sent forward Keith Van Horn to the Knicks and a future No. 1 pick, plus forward Randy Holcomb and cash, to the Hawks.
The Timberwolves got the shooting guard they were looking for in the Knicks' Latrell Sprewell, and the Hawks received salary-cap relief by taking on the contract of Terrell Brandon, the Minnesota point guard who had not played in nearly two years and is expected to retire without playing again.
Everybody, it seemed, got what they wanted. Thanks to King.
Via Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks
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Billy King wanted this one. Dead or alive. Four teams, five teams, six teams. Whatever it took.
The 76ers' president/general manager wanted a consistent second scorer - where have we heard that before? - and he wanted some additional size and bulk. In truth, he wanted what he felt he hadn't gotten enough of from Keith Van Horn.
When some voices thought the whole thing was dead and gone, King flatly refused to acknowledge that possibility.
And even as the Sixers acquired forward Glenn Robinson from Atlanta and forward/center Marc Jackson from Minnesota, you got the distinct impression that there could be more coming. Maybe not immediately, but eventually.
"You never know, that's all I'll say, you never know," King said on the telephone from Salt Lake City, where he has been, among other things, monitoring the Rocky Mountain Revue, one of the NBA's sanctioned summer-league venues. "Put it this way, me, Courtney [scout Courtney Witte] and Tony [director of player personnel Tony DiLeo] are still in the room."
Via Philadelphia Daily News
Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks
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Kevin McHale was sitting behind the microphones, displaying more energy than any NBA general manager had a right to have, given the grueling day he had just completed.
Good news will do that. Good news that comes to those who wait, that is. What began as a four-team NBA switcheroo was complicated at mid-day when another team tried to get into the mix. When the fifth team finally dropped out, the deal finally got done.
"I found out one thing," said McHale, the Wolves vice president. "Five general managers can't make a cake, but four can."
Terrell Brandon and the salary-cap relief his contract represents is gone, to Atlanta. Center Marc Jackson is off to Philadelphia. Four-time All-Star Latrell Sprewell comes to the Wolves.
Six players and two draft picks were a part of the deal. Glenn Robinson went to Philadelphia, Keith Van Horn to New York, Randy Holcomb to Atlanta.
The 76ers also sent a first-round draft pick to Atlanta, reacquiring a 2006 second-round pick in return.
For the Wolves, it is the latest in an off-season of moves that has turned over the roster. It began with the trade with Milwaukee for Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson. It continued last week when center Michael Olowokandi was signed to replace the departed Rasho Nesterovic.
But Wednesday's announcement might be the clincher. Suddenly the Wolves are quicker, more athletic. The blend of experience -- Cassell has won two titles, Sprewell has played in the NBA Finals -- youth and talent had McHale, well, on the verge of giddy.
Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers
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Sixers Jul 2003 Archive
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New York Daily News | Jul 24, 2003
New York fans have spoken, and Knicks president and GM Scott Layden may want to cover his ears.
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| Jul 24, 2003
The trade is final, but even after this long 2 day negotiation is over, some discussion remains.
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Associated Press | Jul 23, 2003
Six players, including Latrell Sprewell, Glenn Robinson and Keith Van Horn, were involved in a four-team NBA trade Wednesday night.
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New York Times | Jul 23, 2003
For more than a year, the Knicks have dangled Latrell Sprewell around the league, looking for a taker.
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Minneapolis Star Tribune | Jul 23, 2003
What do you do when your Franchise Player is not talking up his team in the offseason before a contract year? When your Franchise Player, despite be one the most talented players in the league, can't get out of the first round of the playoffs? Well you make some big moves or prepare yourself to drive him to the airport so that he can fly out to his new team.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 23, 2003
Keith Van Horn's stint in Philadelphia likely will be over soon.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Jul 23, 2003
Were the Hawks so unimpressed with Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson that they'd be willing to trade their leading scorer --- in essence --- for nobody?
Hawks director of basketball operations and interim general manager Billy Knight confirmed Tuesday night that the team has had conversations about a possible blockbuster four-team trade involving Robinson, New York Knicks forward Latrell Sprewell, Philadelphia 76ers forward Keith Van Horn and Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Terrell Brandon's contract.
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| Jul 23, 2003
What do you do when your Franchise Player is not talking up his team in the offseason before a contract year? When your Franchise Player, despite be one the most talented players in the league, can't get out of the first round of the playoffs? Well you make some big moves or prepare yourself to drive him to the airport so that he can fly out to his new team.
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ESPN | Jul 22, 2003
A four-team trade involving the Timberwolves, Knicks, 76ers and Hawks has been agreed to and likely will be completed on Wednesday, ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reports.
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New York Daily News | Jul 22, 2003
Latrell Sprewell's days in New York appear to be numbered.
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Newsday | Jul 20, 2003
There's no question general manager Scott Layden has stepped up his efforts to transform the Knicks' roster dramatically this summer, but wanting it to happen and pulling it off in such a difficult economic climate are two different things.
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N.Y. Daily News | Jul 19, 2003
Keith Van Horn's college coach believes the much-maligned Philadelphia forward can resurrect his career in New York.
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N.Y. Post | Jul 19, 2003
During training camp last October, Knicks coach Don Chaney privately wondered if the Nets would regret getting rid of Keith Van Horn.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 18, 2003
The agent for Allen Iverson said last night that there have been talks with the 76ers about a contract extension for the four-time all-star guard.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 18, 2003
Billy King is doing more than merely discussing trade possibilities with other NBA teams and evaluating talent in the Reebok Summer League in Boston.
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Jul 18, 2003
Languishing on the bench during the playoffs was enough to put Brian Skinner in a sour mood.
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New York Daily News | Jul 18, 2003
The Knicks are making progress on a deal that would bring Sixers forward Keith Van Horn to Madison Square Garden, according to a league source.
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New York Post | Jul 18, 2003
With sign-and-trade talks for Indiana center Brad Miller not going anywhere, Knicks GM Scott Layden has had conversations with the Pacers about a deal for small forward Al Harrington that would send Charlie Ward to Indiana, sources say.
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Trenton Times | Jul 18, 2003
With yesterday's signing of free agent Kenny Thomas to seven-year deal that may run as high as $50 million, coupled with the revelation that Derrick Coleman also is likely to return, it appears the Sixers are willing to play next season essentially with the same cast.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 17, 2003
The players running up and down the court trying to impress NBA personnel bosses in Boston are no match for 76ers president and general manager Billy King.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 17, 2003
Billy King was asked yesterday whether he was the one who pulled off the three-way trade that brought 6-foot-7 forward Kenny Thomas to Philadelphia in December.
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Jul 17, 2003
The instant Gary Payton decided to leave for Los Angeles, the mission was clear for Milwaukee Bucks general manager Larry Harris.
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New York Daily News | Jul 17, 2003
The Knicks and Sixers have resurrected talks for a trade that would include Keith Van Horn but not Latrell Sprewell.
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nba.com | Jul 16, 2003
Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Billy King announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 that the Sixers have signed free agent center Amal McCaskill.
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nba.com | Jul 16, 2003
Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Billy King announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 that the Sixers have re-signed forward Kenny Thomas to a multi-year deal.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 16, 2003
The changing face of the 76ers doesn't appear to be changing all that much.
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Jul 16, 2003
The Milwaukee Bucks will add veteran guard Erick Strickland and power forward Brian Skinner to their roster when the National Basketball Association free-agent signing period opens today.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 15, 2003
Randy Ayers was on his way to the 76ers' locker room in UMass-Boston's Clark Athletic Center after the game when he was stopped and asked for identification.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 15, 2003
The 76ers plan to announce tomorrow that they have signed restricted free-agent forward Kenny Thomas, the team's priority in this off-season.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 14, 2003
No one, no one, is more ready for the 76ers' opener tonight in the Reebok Pro Summer League than Sam Clancy.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 13, 2003
The 76ers' summer camp for rookies, free agents and selected veterans will conclude this morning with a final workout at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Stephen A. Smith | Jul 13, 2003
Kobe Bryant got arrested last week.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 11, 2003
The more Billy King talked, the more it appeared that forward Kenny Thomas will be remaining with the 76ers.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 11, 2003
New 76ers coach Randy Ayers moved closer to completing his staff of assistants yesterday with the addition of ex-NBA player and coach Chris Ford and Ayers protégé Chris Jent.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 8, 2003
It's no secret that the 76ers are looking for a center, especially with the uncertain situation of Todd MacCulloch, Derrick Coleman's status as an unrestricted free agent, and Samuel Dalembert's inexperience - including his missing last season because of a left knee injury.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 8, 2003
The 76ers have moved closer in their negotiations with restricted free agent Kenny Thomas.
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Daytona News-Journal | Jul 6, 2003
Darrell Armstrong and Andrew DeClercq might not wait to see if the Orlando Magic can persuade Antonio Daniels, Speedy Claxton or Juwan Howard to sign with them July 16 or later.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 5, 2003
Willie Green and Kyle Korver, the newest members of the 76ers, will make their Philadelphia debut on Thursday when the team begins its twice-a-day workouts at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, its practice center.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 4, 2003
So what did you expect, anyway?
The 76ers to grab Alonzo Mourning? The Lakers to get Karl Malone? Team owners to go on some kind of spending spree, acting like the millionaires they truly are?
Well, better luck in the next millennium.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 3, 2003
To help prepare for the future, the 76ers dipped into their storied past for two prospects to help fill out their roster for a camp for rookies, free agents and selected veterans from July 10 to 13.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 2, 2003
Billy King wasn't sitting on a free agent's doorstep at 12:01 yesterday morning.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 1, 2003
Monty Williams knows about landscapes.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 1, 2003
Living up to their word that re-signing Kenny Thomas would be their No.
