Hawks Win
Miami added Kevin Willis and a future first, but Atlanta’s return was driven by Steve Smith, who became an All-Star and the deal’s best long-term asset.
Atlanta Hawks Received
- Player Steve Smith
- Player Grant Long
- Draft Pick conditional second-round pick (1996 #45- Joe Vogel )
Miami Heat Received
- Player Kevin Willis
- Draft Pick conditional first-round pick (1996 #19- Walter McCarty )
Miami Heat
Trade Analysis
Miami acquired Kevin Willis and a conditional first-round pick that later became Walter McCarty, sending Steve Smith, Grant Long and a conditional second-round pick to Atlanta. Willis gave the Heat strong rebounding and immediate frontcourt production, so Miami did not leave the trade empty-handed. The separation came from Smith, who blossomed into an All-Star-caliber scorer with the Hawks and supplied years of high-level perimeter offense. The first-round asset softened Miami’s cost, but it did not develop into comparable value. In hindsight, Atlanta received the most important player and the more durable return.