What's the main rule of any trade? Whichever teams gets the best player win. In this case, I'll have to agree. The 76ers acquiring Toni Kukoc for Larry Hughes in a three way deal was the perfect solution to their problem. Let me first address the 76ers. Larry Hughes, as talented as he is, can not play with Iverson. Iverson won't played point guard Hughes can't play point guard. Hughes is too small for small forward. Both like to shoot the rock a lot. Larry Brown can't stand anyone who won't play defense. He wasn't going to get any playing time on the 76ers. They had a hole at small forward, George Lynch, a great defensive player, just can't score enough to alleviate some pressure from Iverson. The 76ers needed a second scorer who can pass, shoot and play small forward. Toni Kukoc fits it perfectly. He's a great passer, a good shooter, can score 20 a game if he wants, but can play second or third fiddle as well. He'll fit in perfectly, offensively. Defensively, he's lacking, but can rebound pretty well, and with Lynch off the bench, Kukoc can be replaced when necessary. The cost of Kukoc was a player who wasn't playing, Larry Hughes, and a player who can't play, Billy Owens.

The Golden State Warriors got a potential star and filled a gaping hole. Not since Latrell Spreewell has the Warriors had such an explosive talent. Hughes will step in and play 35 minutes a game and add some much needed athleticism. Hughes can play, there is no doubt, now he gets his chance in Oakland. Hughes and Antawn Jamison just might be the makings of a productive duo. Trading for Hughes meant giving up a lot. The first round pick was huge, because it belonged to Washington. It's lottery protected, sure, but the Wizards probably will finish fifth worst overall and will most likely get that draft slot. Still it's a small price to pay to get a talent like Hughes. Getting rid of John Starks was necessary. He wanted out. He is old and not making his open shots anymore. Bruce Bowen was thrown in for cap purposes.

The Bulls, I can't figure out. I would have thought the Bulls could have dealt with the 76ers directly and got Hughes. The Bulls need a shooting guard (Ron Artest can move to small forward), Hughes is a shooting guard. They need player with star potential and is young. Hughes is all of those things. I don't get it. I wonder if Jerry Krause can get a player with that amount of talent, with two years of experience and that young in the draft with the Warriors pick. Probably not. Here's the draft pick breakdown. The pick in question is from Washington from the Chris Webber deal. The Wizards will hold onto the pick if it falls in the top 3. Otherwise, the Bulls get the pick. If the Wizards do get a top 3 pick, the 2001 first round pick of the Wizards becomes property of the Bulls. Here's the rub. If the Wizards get a top three pick this year and Michael Jordan has off-season to improve his team (and you know he wants to stick it to Jerry Krause) that pick in 2001 will probably be a 10-15 pick and not a 4-7 pick. John Starks will most likely be moved, probably to Miami. If not, he's a free agent, more cap space for the Bulls. Bruce Bowen is a throw in, but Rick Pitino liked him, so you know he must be good.

Bottom line, the 76ers acquired a player who now vaults them into the top echelon of teams in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors improved themselves without giving up any contributing players. The Bulls are following Krause's master plan, open cap space and hoard draft picks (they now have three, Chicago, Washington and San Antonio). Krause always said the key to winning is the organization and the organization is, well, him. If this blows up in his face, he's the only one to blame.