The Denver Nuggets gave up two All-Stars to get North Carolina State’s David Thompson, trading Mack Calvin, Mike Green and Jan Van Breda Kolff to the Virginia Squires in July 1975 to get George Irvine and the rights to the No. 2 overall pick in the 1975 ABA Draft.
They never regretted the decision.
Thompson was the ABA Rookie of the Year in 1975-76, also earning All-ABA honors. He was a four-time All-Star for the Nuggets—winning MVP honors in the 1976 ABA showcase and the 1979 NBA All-Star Game—and a two-time All-NBA selection.
He finished third in the MVP voting in 1977-78, finished third in the ABA in scoring in 1975-76 and second in the NBA in 1977-78, fourth in 1976-77 and fifth in 1980-81.
In June 1982, Thompson—plagued by injuries and substance abuse issues—was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics for Bill Hanzlik and a first-round pick in 1982.
In seven seasons in Denver, Thompson averaged 24.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.9 minutes per game, shooting .507/.264/.779.
A serious knee injury sustained at New York’s infamous Studio 54 night club effectively ended his career. He retired after the 1983-84 season, staging one unsuccessful comeback in 1985.
He is 27th in NBA history with an average of 22.1 points per game.
Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, Thompson was also Michael Jordan’s choice to present him when Jordan was enshrined in 2009.
Next: The Blade Cut A Path To The Basket