Few NBA trades have worked out as perfectly as Red Auerbach’s pre-draft masterpiece in 1980. Initially holding the first and 13th overall picks, Auerbach turned them into Kevin McHale (selected third overall) and fifth-year center Robert Parish in a trade with the Golden State Warriors two days before draft.
The newly-acquired talent combined with Larry Bird to form the “Big Three,” and the Celtics entered another golden era. At the time, McHale admits he had no idea what he was a part of.
“I didn’t know what was going on as far as what we were going to do,” McHale said of the team’s impending run to three NBA titles in six seasons.