Kori Ellis
02-23-2005, 02:04 PM
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-heatnote23feb23,0,6947145.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted February 23 2005
CHICAGO · With former Heat center Alonzo Mourning on the verge of rejoining the team, the franchise is considering another reunion.
Guard Steve Smith, dealt from the Heat in its ill-fated 1994 acquisition of Atlanta center Kevin Willis, is on the team's radar as Thursday's NBA trading deadline approaches.
The 35-year-old guard drew Heat interest in the offseason, before the team opted for free-agent forward Wesley Person as its 3-point specialist. Smith then signed with expansion Charlotte, with the understanding the Bobcats would accommodate him should a contender eventually be interested.
The Bobcats have been contacted about Smith by both the Heat and Spurs, with whom Smith won the 2003 NBA title.
Smith long has expressed an interest to close his pro career where it started as the fifth pick in the 1991 draft by the Heat.
"It would make perfect sense," agent Charles Tucker said Tuesday, with his client having spent his first three seasons in South Florida. "The Spurs definitely want him, but he would come to the Heat before he would come to the Spurs."
Smith's only concern is becoming an end-of-the-bench afterthought, which proved to be Person's fate.
Because Smith is on a veteran's minimum contract that counts only $745,046 against the salary cap, he is eligible to be traded for any player on the Heat roster. Also, because the Bobcats are below the cap, they can absorb salaries well in excess of Smith's figure.
Smith caught the Heat's attention last May, when he scored 25 points for New Orleans in an 85-77 Game 7 loss in the first round of the playoffs.
Brought in to mentor the Bobcats' young players, Smith has been used sparingly by Charlotte, but has had a 22-point game against the Pistons and a 20-point game against the Knicks. He went into Tuesday ranked 13th in 3-point percentage, one spot ahead of Heat guard Damon Jones.
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted February 23 2005
CHICAGO · With former Heat center Alonzo Mourning on the verge of rejoining the team, the franchise is considering another reunion.
Guard Steve Smith, dealt from the Heat in its ill-fated 1994 acquisition of Atlanta center Kevin Willis, is on the team's radar as Thursday's NBA trading deadline approaches.
The 35-year-old guard drew Heat interest in the offseason, before the team opted for free-agent forward Wesley Person as its 3-point specialist. Smith then signed with expansion Charlotte, with the understanding the Bobcats would accommodate him should a contender eventually be interested.
The Bobcats have been contacted about Smith by both the Heat and Spurs, with whom Smith won the 2003 NBA title.
Smith long has expressed an interest to close his pro career where it started as the fifth pick in the 1991 draft by the Heat.
"It would make perfect sense," agent Charles Tucker said Tuesday, with his client having spent his first three seasons in South Florida. "The Spurs definitely want him, but he would come to the Heat before he would come to the Spurs."
Smith's only concern is becoming an end-of-the-bench afterthought, which proved to be Person's fate.
Because Smith is on a veteran's minimum contract that counts only $745,046 against the salary cap, he is eligible to be traded for any player on the Heat roster. Also, because the Bobcats are below the cap, they can absorb salaries well in excess of Smith's figure.
Smith caught the Heat's attention last May, when he scored 25 points for New Orleans in an 85-77 Game 7 loss in the first round of the playoffs.
Brought in to mentor the Bobcats' young players, Smith has been used sparingly by Charlotte, but has had a 22-point game against the Pistons and a 20-point game against the Knicks. He went into Tuesday ranked 13th in 3-point percentage, one spot ahead of Heat guard Damon Jones.