While Salley's addition was first met with hope because of the role that he played on two championship Pistons squads, it became quickly apparent that Salley was a quality role player for a good team, but not a quality player for a mediocre team like Miami was at the time.
A healthier squad fared better in 1993-94, posting the franchise's first-ever winning record at 42-40 and returning to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed versus the Atlanta Hawks.