The 1996 NBA trade deadline.

In the order it happened

The transaction timeline

The draft, major signings, trades and roster decisions are ordered chronologically. Complete draft boards, trade packages and free-agent jersey changes are embedded at the moment they happened.

1. Early February · Playoff race

   Miami looks for an organizer for Pat Riley's rebuild

   Alonzo Mourning had supplied the defensive centerpiece, but the Heat still needed a lead guard who could control the half court and create late in games.

2. February 22 · Trade

   Tim Hardaway takes over Miami's offense →

   Golden State sent Hardaway and Chris Gatling to Miami for Kevin Willis and Bimbo Coles. Hardaway became an All-NBA partner for Mourning and helped establish Miami as an Eastern power.

   The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

   00TradeFebruary 22, 1996To MIATo GSW→←Tim Hardaway to MiamiMIA receives Tim Hardaway, Chris GatlingGSW receives Kevin Willis, Bimbo Coles4 original assets · 0 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

3. Deadline week · Aftermath

   Miami's next contender finally has its backcourt identity

   The move did not rescue that season's playoff bid, but it created the Hardaway–Mourning partnership that won 61 games the following year.