NBA Trade Deadline: Top 10 deadline trades of all time
By Daniel Tran
6. Nothing like a new home for Tim Hardaway
Much like when Jeff Hornacek found his niche on the Utah Jazz, Tim Hardaway found a home on the Golden State Warriors. With head coach Don Nelson placing his mad scientist brand of basketball and running mates like Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway was running-and-gunning his way to All-Star selections early in his career.
Under Don Nelson, Hardaway made three All-Star teams and was averaging 20.5 points, 9.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. After Nelson left the Warriors after the 1994-95 season, things went downhill for Hardaway the next year.
New head coach Rick Adelman inexplicably put Hardaway in the sixth man role and limited him to 28.6 minutes per game, nearly ten minutes less than his career average up to that point. His numbers predictably dipped and he made it clear that he wanted out if he was not going to start. Adelman obliged his request.
Hardaway, along with Chris Gatlin of Shawn Kemp fame, was traded to the Miami Heat for Bimbo Coles and the ageless wonder Kevin Willis at the NBA trade deadline. Willis was a solid forward and Bimbo Coles showed promise, but was never able to improve after joining the Warriors.
Using the change of address to refresh his love for basketball, Hardaway would make the most of his time in Miami, making two All-Star teams in 1997 and 1998 while averaging 19.6 points, 8.4 assists, and 1.8 steals in those two years. The Killa Crossover was revived once more.
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