On this day in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise traded star center Dave Cowens to the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard Quinn Buckner in 1982.
Cowens had retired as a player in 1980, citing his declining health and a need for new blood in Boston’s frontcourt, but he decided to play again two seasons later.
The Newport, Kentucky, native, who had been drafted out of Florida State University by the Celtics with the fourth pick of the 1970 NBA draft, had only played for the Celtics franchise, which still held his rights.
The former Seminole convinced Boston to deal him to the Bucks — coached by one-time teammate Don Nelson — in exchange for Buckner to satisfy their contractual obligations.