Cleveland Took a Chance on Harold Miner and Moved Up Seven Picks
On June 14, 1995, Cleveland acquired Harold Miner and Miami's 1995 second-round pick in exchange for its own second-round choice. The picks eventually became No. 39 Donny Marshall for the Cavaliers and No. 46 George Banks for the Heat. Miami's official media guide dates the transaction June 15 and also lists unspecified future considerations, while the NBA transaction ledger uses June 14 and identifies only Miner and the exchanged draft choices. The canonical June 14 date is retained, but unverified future considerations should not be assigned an invented basketball value. The meaningful decision was Cleveland's attempt to add a once-promising scoring guard and move upward in the draft, while Miami shed Miner after his reduced 1994-95 role.
Miner's Cleveland Stint Was Brief, but Marshall Reached the Rotation
Miner had won two NBA Slam Dunk Contests during his Miami tenure, but that reputation didn't turn into a large role in Cleveland. He appeared in only 19 Cavaliers games in 1995-96, all off the bench, averaging 3.2 points across 7.2 minutes, and did not return to the NBA afterward. Cleveland's better return came from the No. 39 pick. Marshall played 34 Cavaliers games in 1995-96 and 56 more in 1996-97, scoring 2.3 and 3.1 points per game, respectively. He returned for six more Cleveland appearances in 1999-2000. Those modest minutes were nonetheless a genuine team-specific return from the higher draft position, separate from Miner's reputation.
Miami Collected No. 46, Not a Proven NBA Starter
The Heat received the Cavaliers' No. 46 pick and selected George Banks in 1995. Banks did not play an NBA regular-season game, so his draft position should not be equated with a later Miami rotation contribution. From a basketball perspective Miami gave up a guard who was already outside its central plans and traded back seven spots in the second round. That lowered immediate roster expectations but didn't generate a successful drafted NBA player for the Heat. The B- grade is best understood as a modest exchange of a limited-use guard for a cheaper draft opportunity, while Cleveland's B reflects the greater tangible contribution from Marshall plus its short Miner audition. Neither club found an enduring star.
Final Verdict
Cavaliers Win. Cleveland earns B for acquiring Harold Miner and the No. 39 selection used on Donny Marshall, whose Cavaliers tenure provided modest reserve minutes. Miami receives B- for the No. 46 George Banks selection, which never translated into an NBA game. Unspecified future considerations aren't counted as a confirmed basketball return.