Miami Heat: 25 Best Players To Play For The Heat
By Phil Watson
SG. 1991-94, 2005. Steve Smith. 17. player. 110. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 5th overall pick from Michigan State, 1991 NBA Draft; Trade, Charlotte Bobcats, Feb. 24, 2005.
Steve Smith was a two-time All-American at Michigan State, averaging more than 25 points and six rebounds per game as a senior.
The Miami Heat took the shooting guard with the fifth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.
He was an All-Rookie selection in 1991-92, but had to battle through some early injury issues in his career.
In November 1994, he was traded with Grant Long and a second-round pick in 1996 to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kevin Willis and a first-round selection in 1996.
Smith returned to the Heat later in his career, acquired in a February 2005 trade from the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Malik Allen before retiring in September 2005.
In parts of five seasons in Miami, Smith averaged 14.4 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 31.5 minutes per game, shooting .451/.346/.802.
Smith was an All-Star with the Hawks in 1998 before he was traded in August 1999 to the Portland Trail Blazers.
In July 2001, Smith was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he led the NBA in three-point shooting in 2001-02 and was part of a championship team in 2003.
He signed with the New Orleans Hornets as a free agent in October 2003 and in September 2004 signed with Charlotte.
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