Trades, Coaching Carousel, and a Brief Preview
Denver acquires: Moses Malone
*Houston receives: 1978 first-round pick, 1979 first-round pick, 1978 second-round pick, cash considerations*
The Nuggets already had one of the ABF’s most potent offenses. Now they have the most terrifying frontcourt in league history.
Moses Malone, the 22-year-old rebounding machine, joins David Thompson and Dan Issel in Denver. That’s three All-Stars in one lineup — a frontcourt that can score, rebound, and defend with anyone. For Houston, it’s a painful but necessary move. The Rockets are headed to the Championship after a disappointing 23–43 season, and Malone is their most valuable asset. Two first-round picks and a second give Houston a head start on their rebuild under new coach Tex Winter.
What it means: Denver is the team to beat in the Premier. Thompson, Issel, and Malone are an unstoppable trio.
Portland acquires: Bill Walton
*Buffalo receives: 1978 first-round pick, 1979 first-round pick, 1978 second-round pick, future considerations*
This is the one that changes everything.
Bill Walton — the generational talent who spent one disastrous year in Buffalo — is coming home. Portland, stuck in the Founders Cup after a 7–13 season, brings back its franchise player to lead the rebuild. For Buffalo, it’s a divorce. The Walton-McAdoo experiment produced 19 wins in the Premier. The Braves cut their losses, extract a haul of picks, and build around McAdoo instead under new coach Kevin Loughery.
What it means: Portland is back. The Blazers are immediately the favorites to win the Founders Cup — and Walton gets a chance to lead his franchise back to relevance.
Chicago acquires: Artis Gilmore
*Kentucky receives: 1978 first-round pick, 1979 second-round pick, 1978 second-round pick, young player to be named*
The Bulls have been building toward something. Now they have their anchor.
Artis Gilmore — the 29-year-old defensive stalwart — gives Chicago a veteran presence and a dominant big to pair with their young core. For Kentucky, it’s the end of an era. The Colonels are rebuilding in the Championship after relegation, and Gilmore was their biggest asset. They get a first-round pick, two seconds, and a young player to start their rebuild under returning coach Babe McCarthy.
What it means: Chicago is a legitimate Premier contender. Gilmore gives them the defensive identity they’ve been missing.
Buffalo Stays the Course
While the other moves made headlines, Buffalo made the quietest — and smartest — decision of the offseason.
The Braves kept Bob McAdoo. They used the picks from the Walton trade to add complementary pieces. They didn’t panic. They didn’t blow it up. They proved they can win in the Championship, and they’re aiming to prove they can *stay* in the Premier under new coach Kevin Loughery.
What it means: Buffalo is the favorite to win the Championship and earn promotion back to the Premier.
Detroit Cleans House
The Situation: 0–20 in the Founders Cup. No wins. No hope. No identity.
The Moves:
– Front Office: Complete reset. New GM brought in to oversee the rebuild.
– Coaching: Herb Brown is out. A new coach will be hired to lead the rebuild.
– Roster: Anyone not nailed down is available. The Pistons are starting from scratch.
What it means: Detroit is the ABF’s biggest project. They have nowhere to go but up — and they’re finally ready to start climbing.
Coaching Carousel
Los Angeles Lakers
*In:* Paul Westhead – The offense will run through Kareem. Westhead’s system is the bridge to trying to get Magic in 1980.
Buffalo Braves
*In:* Kevin Loughery – ABA flair, up-tempo offense, perfect for a team with McAdoo and a young supporting cast.
Houston Rockets
*In:* Tex Winter – The Triangle offense architect returns to Houston to lead the rebuild in the Championship.
Detroit Pistons
*Out:* Herb Brown (fired after 0–20 season)
*In:* To be announced – The Pistons are conducting a full coaching search.
Front Office Shakeups
Detroit Pistons
– New GM: Hired to oversee the full rebuild.
– Scouting department: Expanded to identify young talent.
– Philosophy: Build through the draft, develop young players, and establish a culture.
Los Angeles Lakers
– Front office: Stable. Westhead is the big move. The Lakers are patient, building for 1980.
Houston Rockets
– Front office: Stable. Winter is the big move. The Rockets are rebuilding around young talent.
Kentucky Colonels
– Front office: Stable. McCarthy is the big move. The Colonels are embracing their ABA roots.
What It Means for 1978
– Denver is the Premier favorite. Thompson, Issel, and Malone are an unstoppable trio.
– Chicago is a Premier contender. Gilmore gives them the defensive anchor they’ve been missing.
– Portland is the Founders Cup favorite. Walton is back where he belongs.
– Buffalo is the Championship favorite. McAdoo stays, picks are used to build around him.
– Los Angeles is patient. Westhead’s system, Kareem’s dominance, and the promise of Magic in 1980.
– Detroit is starting over. New GM, new coach, new roster.