Tim Hardaway Jr.'s Mavs Future: Time to Move On?
After the Dallas Mavericks find out where they’ll be selecting in the NBA Draft during Tuesday’s lottery drawing, they’ll immediately shift focus to an offseason that currently has more questions than answers. Among those questions is the future of Tim Hardaway Jr.
In his fifth season in Dallas, Hardaway Jr. averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 40.1 percent shooting from the floor and 38.5 percent from downtown in 30 minutes per game in 71 games, which included 45 starts. THJ got off to a slow start to the season through the first two months but got hot to close out the season, shooting 45.8 percent from 3-point range on just under eight attempts in the final 23 games.
As for Hardaway Jr.’s contract status, he has two years, $34 million remaining on his four-year deal that he signed in the summer of 2021, and is eligible for an extension as of July 9 this offseason. For future flexibility reasons, a Mavs extension for Hardaway Jr. would seem highly unlikely.
Hardaway Jr. is one of the more fascinating Mavs to watch this summer, as he could easily be back next season in the same role he's succeeded in over the last five years. Or … his contract could come in handy in a trade for a center upgrade for Dallas with the ascension of rookie Jaden Hardy, who could take on more of a prominent role next season.
Through the streaky shooting, THJ has become a fan favorite with the energy and intensity that he's brought to Dallas over the last five seasons. He has also affecting winning more than most would expect, as the Mavs were just 1-9 in the 10 games he missed this season.
Despite that, it feels like Hardaway Jr. could be on his way out of Dallas this summer if the right trade lands on the Mavericks' doorstep.
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