Tim Hardaway Jr. is expected to be one of the top wings available on the free agent market this offseason, but he may end up not going anywhere. According to Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link), there’s confidence within the Mavericks‘ organization about the team’s ability to sign Hardaway to a new contract.
Hardaway, 29, is in the final season of the four-year, $71MM deal he signed with the Knicks in 2017. New York faced some criticism at the time of the signing for what was perceived as an overpay, but Hardaway has lived up to his end of the bargain, averaging 16.9 points on .423/.364/.825 shooting and playing solid defense in 263 games (30.5 MPG) for the Knicks and Mavericks over the life of the contract.
Having made 39.4% of his three-point attempts during the last two years in Dallas, Hardaway has gotten even hotter to start the postseason, averaging 24.5 PPG and making 11-of-17 threes in the Mavs’ two wins over the Clippers in Los Angeles. If he keeps it up and helps push the team to the second round, that should only help his stock in free agency.
According to Basketball Insiders’ data, the Mavs currently have approximately $73MM in guaranteed money on their books for 2021/22. Theoretically, Dallas could create a sizeable chunk of cap room, but that would depend on what they do with free agents like Hardaway, J.J. Redick, and Boban Marjanovic. Josh Richardson‘s $11.6MM player option and Willie Cauley-Stein‘s $4.1MM team option are also wild cards that could impact the club’s flexibility.
Even if the Mavs were to carve out significant cap space, it’s unclear whether they’d realistically be able to land anyone who fits the current roster better than Hardaway, considering this year’s free agent class isn’t particularly star-studded. Focusing on re-signing the veteran wing makes sense, though it may take an offer that matches or exceeds his previous $18MM annual salary to lock him up.
Can they get anyone better than THJ? Any chance Mavs can package KP and others for Beal? Speaking of the Mavs does anyone think Luka is better than Dirk? I’m on the fence.
Hard to say, we know where Dirk’s career ended up…NBA title, first ballot HOF, and all-time great (no need to debate where he ranks)……but Luka certainly looks like he’s on the right path…I just mentioned to someone that Luka could be the best player in NBA in 2-3 years…so he’s on the path to be better than Dirk I would say
He is on the path, but that path is a long one. Anything can happen.
*I should comment before someone starts criticizing me…will be a first ballot HOF’er
I believe Luka is better than Dirk but not because Luka will probably be the best player in the league in a few years – but simply because he’s… better than Dirk!
Dirk couldn’t be the best player in the league while a prime LeBron James was playing, and Luka couldn’t either. So, I can’t use that as the barometer to judge Dirk vs Luka. But, by just going by what I’ve seen, if Luka keeps this up we’ll be asking if he’s better than Bird, not Dirk.
I am a big fan of Dirk, but… come on Luka is sooo much better & still will get better, so apart of the longevity with the team, for now, there is nothin’ that favors Dirk, really!
My Kawhi destination ranking
1 Clippers
2 Knicks
3 Mavs – have to let Tim go
4 Heat
5 Warriors – via trade
Yes
Where are all the Knicks fans saying THJ is overpaid?
That’s an old story. Knicks geniuses who signed him are gone. Plays no D and will score sometimes. I wouldn’t give him more than 5-6 mill. And really he wouldn’t even play for that. So why would you want him. Bullock makes 4 mill and plays both ways hard. No bench player is worth more than 10 mill unless you are chasing a ring. And he’s a big part of that . Mavs can do better.
No, just no. This is obviously coming from someone that doesn’t watch Mavs BB
He might be the best player the Mavs got in the KP trade. Of course only a Knicks fan would say Tim Hardaway is overpaid. That’s just ridiculous.
Just look at what the Mavs are doing to the Clippers right now. Lock him up.
What would you know about overpaid. You take on names of most overpaid ballers in history of gm. Hardaway doesn’t reb and scores 16 a gm. Without Luka he’s worthless. He’s never been a D player. And no one wanted him when Knicks overpaid him. What have Mavs done with him. Yeah you’ll can pay him all you want. It’s your team. Why would I care what he makes in Dallas.
Best player in trade , that’s funny. He’s the only player they got. Thank you again Mavs
WHY ????
Wiggins
19 points, 48%, 3pt 38%
Hardaway
17 points, 42%, 3pt 36%
Hardaway
Market value 4 years $85 million
Bullock
11pts
47%
33%
Bullock market value 3 years $40 million
Hardaway increased his value to the Mavs by integrating with Doncic. To me they do not seem to be in conflict, no small feat. Doncic is tough on opponents but also possibly unpredictable to other Mavs! Not really a fan otherwise but could draw $20mil for continuity.
“…solid defense…”
I thought I’d never see that written when speaking/writing/watching THJ. Does he even venture to that side of the court?
He’s found a nice niche is Dallas – score. It’s what he does best, but the contract he has is a bit on the generous side.
If they’re willing to pay Mini Melo close to 20 mm, then they should be confident they can resign him. I’m confident the Knicks can resign Noel if they max him.
THJ is not a starter quality SG. Just a streaky spot up shooter. He can’t defend. He can’t create his own shot, a fact he still has trouble accepting. His handle and vision are average at best. Even the Mavs have elected to bring him off the bench for much of this season, and, guess what, there’s a reason. He’s been more productive over his career when doing so. Another fun fact about THJ that screams limited player.