That a first Draft pick was transferred was not a first in 1993. It had even happened four times before, in 1950, 1957, 1980 and 1986 (then again in 2014 and 2017). The fundamental difference with the previous occurrences lies in the timing.
The first pick was usually transferred before or after draft night. There, on June 30, 1993, it was during the unfolding of events that the exchange took place.
We are in 1993 therefore. A year after hitting the jackpot with Shaquille O’Neal and despite very slim chances of hitting it again, the Magic have won the lottery again and can pick first.
Penny Hardaway upends Magic plans
Orlando intends to draft Chris Webber, the star of Michigan and member of the “Fab Five”. Certainly the unfortunate episode of time-out during the NCAA Finals in April 1993 tarnished his reputation, but the interior is too talented to be overlooked.
Except that the Florida leaders were also seduced by the performance of Penny Hardaway during a practice match.
“We went to Webber, but Penny didn’t accept it”says Pat Williams, the GM of Magic. “He kept calling us, until the weekend before the Draft. He said he was the player we needed. At the time, we could do whatever we wanted, so we organized a match. Hardaway was brilliant. We changed our minds. »
At the same time, Golden State, which has the third pick of the Draft, wants to attract an interior to strengthen its team. The formation of Don Nelson needs a presence in defense and rebound. Chris Webber or Shawn Bradley (2m29) will do just fine.
The idea of forming the new dominant duo
The two franchises therefore agree to an exchange. Orlando will draft Chris Webber in first position, then Shawn Bradley will be chosen by Philadelphia and finally the Warriors will get their hands on Penny Hardaway. Everyone will have done their job and the transfer between Chris Webber and Penny Hardaway will only be a formality.
The plan goes off without a hitch. The interior is called in first position, wears the Magic cap for a few minutes, then the exchange with that of Golden State which was in the hands and on the head of the point guard.
“It was a bit scary, because it’s a radical transfer”recalls Pat Williams, who was already behind the transfer of the 1986 first choice to Clevelandsince he was GM of Philadelphia at the time. “We knew that Webber was going to become a very talented strong winger. And that with Shaq, that would be something. But what was the best combination for us? It was the one between an exterior and an interior, like Bill Russell and Bob Cousy or Willis Reed and Walt Frazier. Shaq and Penny, that would be devastating. »
This choice will pay off, although some Magic fans were skeptical at the time. Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway will play in the Finals in 1995, just two years after the duo formed.
For Chris Webber, the first season at Golden State will be crowned by the rookie of the year trophy and a first round of the playoffs. But from the summer of 1994, he will be sent to the Bullets.
