Drafting The Hardway

Sometimes it can take years—not to mention a few personnel moves—before the final verdict can be reached on the wisdom of a team's choices in the NBA draft. Consider the Golden State Warriors' first-round pick in 1993, and the developments that ensued.

June 1993
With the third overall pick the Warriors select PENNY HARDAWAY (left), then immediately trade his rights plus three future first-round picks (1996, '98, 2000) to the Orlando Magic for the rights to CHRIS WEBBER (the No. 1 overall pick). Hardaway becomes a three-time All-Star for the Magic.

November 1994
Webber averages 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds to win 1993-94 NBA Rookie of the Year honors but feuds with Golden State coach Don Nelson and demands a trade. The Warriors oblige Webber, shipping him to the Washington Bullets for forward TOM GUGLIOTTA (right) and three first-round draft picks (1996, '98 and 2000). Though often injured, Webber has averaged 20.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in his three seasons in Washington.

February 1995
In 40 games with the Warriors in the '94-95 season, Gugliotta averages 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists, but Golden State trades him to the Minnesota Timberwolves for forward DONYELL MARSHALL (right), Minnesota's first-round pick in 1994. With the Timberwolves in 1996-97, Gugliotta averages 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists, and goes to the All-Star Game.

June 1996
With one of the first-round picks acquired from the Bullets, the Warriors draft center TODD FULLER.

June 1997
In 1996-97 the Warriors finish 30-52 and miss the playoffs; Marshall averages 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, and Fuller averages 4.1 points and 3.3 rebounds. At week's end the Warriors retained those 1998 and 2000 first-round picks acquired in the Webber trade.