50 greatest NBA players from the 1990s — 28. Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway
Memphis State guard Anfernee Hardaway was the third overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1993 NBA Draft and almost immediately went back east, traded on draft night with first-round picks in 1996, 1998 and 2000 for the rights to top overall selection Chris Webber.
Orlando got a gem. He was an All-Rookie selection in 1993-94 and then made four straight All-Star appearances while earning three All-NBA bids, finishing third in the MVP voting in 1995-96.
Hardaway also helped drive the Magic to their first NBA Finals in 1995, where they were swept by the Houston Rockets. In that series, Hardaway averaged 25.5 points, eight assists, 4.8 rebounds and a steal in 43 minutes per game, shooting .500/.458/.913.
Hardaway was fifth in the NBA in steals in 1995-96 and 1998-99.
A devastating knee injury early in the 1997-98 season changed the course of his career, however.
With Orlando, Hardaway averaged 19 points, 6.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 37.2 minutes per game, shooting .472/.311/.766.
In August 1999, Hardaway went to the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade deal for Danny Manning, Pat Garrity and first-round picks in 2001 and 2002.
But he just wasn’t the same Penny. In January 2004, Hardaway was dealt to the New York Knicks with Stephon Marbury and Cezary Trybanski in exchange for Howard Eisley, Antonio McDyess, Charlie Ward, Maciej Lampe, Milos Vujanic and first-round picks in 2004 and 2010.
In February 2006, Hardaway was traded back to the Magic with Trevor Ariza in exchange for Steve Francis, but Orlando waived him two days later.
In retirement for the 2006-07 season, Hardaway tried a return with the Miami Heat, signing in August 2007, but he was waived in December and called it a career.
Hardaway is now holds a minority share of the Memphis Grizzlies.