This Date in NBA History (Oct. 20): Philadelphia 76ers acquire Julius Erving from New Jersey Nets for $3 million in 1976 and more

Author Photo
Dr. J

On October 20th in 1976, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired superstar Julius Erving from the New Jersey Nets for $3 million dollars. This came just months after the four ABA franchises - the Nets, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs - joined the league as part of the merger during the 1976 offseason. 

The merger, however, cost the Nets - the defending ABA Champions - their star player in Erving. As part of the merger, the four ABA franchise were to pay the NBA an entry fee of $3.2 million while the Nets had to cough up an additional $4.8 million to the New York Knicks for “territorial invasion”. 

With the steep prices that were due, the Nets franchise didn't have a lot of options and thus, traded their best player - the reigning 3-time ABA MVP - to the 76ers just 24 hours before the first game of the 1976-77 season. 

Erving - the ABA legend

Erving was one of the greatest players in the ABA's short history. A majority of his achievements coming as a member of the New York Nets (1973-76), who had acquired him from the Virginia Squires (1971-73).

ERVING NETS

In his five years with the league, he was named MVP three times (1974–1976) - the only player to do so.  He led the Nets to two championships - 1974 and 1976 - thus, earning the Playoffs MVP award in those two seasons. A 3-time scoring champion (1973, 1974, 1976), Erving was named an All-Star and to the All-ABA (4 x First, 1 x Second) team in every one of his five years.  

For his short yet successful stint, Erving's #32 is retired by the Nets franchise.

Erving sparks 76ers revival

Acquiring a player the caliber of Erving, the 76ers instantly rose to championship contention.

In fact, in his first season with the team, he led the franchise to the 1977 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Although the 76ers lost the championships series in six games, it was a positive sign as it was their first Finals since the 1966-67 season - Wilt Chamberlain's penultimate year with them. 

Over the first seven of Erving's 11 years with the 76ers, the franchise advanced to a total of four NBA Finals (1976, 1980, 1982, 1983). They clinched Erving's lone title and their third in franchise history in 1983, by sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals, to make those seven years the most successful run the franchise ever enjoyed. 

When he was named the NBA's MVP in 1981, he became the only player ever to be named Most Valuable Player in the ABA and the NBA. During his time with the franchise, he earned numerous accolades - 11 x All-Star, 2 x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1977, 1983), 7 x All-NBA selections (5 x First).

For his tremendous contribution to the franchise, his #6 jersey - which he wore in tribute to Celtics legend Bill Russell - was retired by the 76ers on April 6th, 1988, less than a year after he retired. Nearly two decades later, the franchise paid tribute to the legend once again by unveiling a sculpture of Erving outside their practice facility in Camden, New Jersey.

Other notable events in NBA history

  • In 1972, the Buffalo Bravos (now, the LA Clippers) scored 58 points in the fourth quarter - an NBA record for most points in that period - but still dropped the game against the Boston Celtics 126-118. 
  • In 1962, John Havlicek made his NBA debut for the Boston Celtics in a 149-116 win over the New York Knicks. He would go on to play 16 seasons for the franchises, winning eight championships during that span (1963–1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976).

The views expressed here do not represent those of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)