Entering the final year of his NBA career, former All-Star shooting guard Steve Smith signed a deal with the Charlotte Bobcats. Smith, a former No. 5 overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, was an accomplished scorer, having averaged 20 or more points per game twice with the Atlanta Hawks. In 37 games with the Bobcats at age 35, Smith averaged 7.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.3 steals in 17.2 minutes per game.

Charlotte eventually flipped Smith at the February trade deadline, sending him back to the team that drafted him (Miami). Smith finished a 14-year career with 942 games played and averages of 14.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks. Throughout his career, he made one All-Star team, won a championship with the San Antonio Spurs and was received the NBA's Sportsmanship Award.