The ledger
Birth in New Orleans (1974–1979)1976–77 New Orleans Jazz
The third season in franchise history, and the one that produced the single most consequential decision the Jazz ever made — a decision taken before the season even began.
16 in, 3 out. Every move the record shows for this season, with the reason where a source gives one. Where no reason is documented, the entry says nothing rather than guess.
In
16 ARRIVED1976 NBA draft second round pick (#26 overall)
Jacky Dorsey never played a minute for the club
1976 NBA draft third round pick (#42 overall)
Steve Copp never played a minute for the club
1976 NBA draft fourth round pick (#58 overall)
John Service never played a minute for the club
1976 NBA draft fifth round pick (#74 overall)
- New Orleans drafted him 74th overall in 1976 and extended him in 1978. He went to San Antonio in July 1979 as compensation for the Jazz signing Allan Bristow.
- Played for the franchise in both New Orleans and Utah, spanning the 1979 relocation.
- Background: Drafted by the New Orleans Jazz in the 5th round of the 1976 draft, 74th overall. Three seasons in New Orleans (1976-79). source
1976 NBA draft sixth round pick (#94 overall)
Barnard Tomlin never played a minute for the club
1976 NBA draft seventh round pick (#111 overall)
- New Orleans drafted him in the seventh round of 1976, 111th overall, and the season that followed was his only one with the club.
- Every one of his 40 NBA games was played for this franchise.
1976 NBA draft eighth round pick (#128 overall)
Richard Bryant never played a minute for the club
1976 NBA draft ninth round pick (#148 overall)
Calvin Robinson never played a minute for the club
1976 NBA draft tenth round pick (#164 overall)
Art Johnson never played a minute for the club
signed veteran free agent (from Lakers)
- He played out his option after a salary fight with the Lakers and signed with New Orleans on August 6, 1976 to pair with Pete Maravich. Los Angeles took three Jazz first-rounders as compensation — the 1979 pick became Magic Johnson. He retired in 1979.
- The compensation for signing him sent New Orleans' 1979 first-round pick to the Lakers — it became the No. 1 pick and Magic Johnson.
- Background: NBA.com (Legends profile) puts it this way: the salary dispute leads him to play out his option in 1976 and sign as a free agent with the New Orleans Jazz, after nine years in Los Angeles. source
- THE CONTRACT: August 6, 1976, three years, reportedly $1.4 million. The Jazz idea is a backcourt of Goodrich + Pete Maravich. source
trade with Blazers (trade later cancelled by Jazz on 10-05)
Sidney Wicks never played a minute for the club
- the club gave up: cash
signed second round pick
Jacky Dorsey never played a minute for the club
signed free agent
signed free agent
signed free agent
- The Jazz signed him in February 1977 and waived him that September.
- Played at Maryland under Lefty Driesell alongside future NBA players.
signed free agent
Larry Fogle never played a minute for the club
Out
3 LEFTteam relinquished rights to player in exchange for getting their 1977 first round pick back
Moses Malone never played a minute for the club
trade with 76ers
earlier trade with Blazers cancelled by Jazz when Wicks demanded a new contract
Sidney Wicks never played a minute for the club