![]() Having proven his worth and secured a four-year extension, Hardaway enters a new era of sorts, both personally and for the Mavericks. Shooting at the highest volume of his career, Hardaway was a 40-percent three point shooter the last two seasons, and he finished fifth last season in Sixth Man of the Year voting while averaging 17 points and three rebounds per game. The synergy of his confidence, Rick Carlisle’s coaching, and playing next to the league’s best young playmaker catapulted his game. Bluntly, his game did not match the checks he was cashing. In his first six seasons in the league (19 games in Dallas) Hardaway was barely a 34 percent three point shooter. Let us not forget the path he took to get to this moment. But anyone who claims to have predicted this sort of play - and that MFFLs everywhere would be celebrating a $75-million THJ contract extension in our lord’s year 2021 - is also claiming they are Nostradamus. Of course, too understand that is to accept the cold stretches and the limitations to his game. Though it’s been said time and again, it begs repeating just how impressive the sharpshooter has been since arriving in Dallas. has truly played like the prized possession from the Dallas Mavericks’ January 2019 trade with the New York Knicks. But he’s a role player the Mavericks (or some other contender) can use to make a run next year.For stretches over the last two-plus seasons, Tim Hardaway Jr. He isn’t changing, so there’s not going to be some vast improvement over the summer. Hardaway just wrapped up his 11th season in the NBA. He’s decent on ball, but falls asleep at times and loses his man off ball. Hardaway has never been a great defender, though he has it in him in spurts. He shot the hell out of the ball for the Mavericks this season, and it’s something they needed desperately. Hardaway isn’t multifaceted on offense, but the one thing he does (shooting), he does exceptionally well. We won’t know until June at the earliest. It’s possible Hardaway returns to the same role with Dallas next season, but could just as easily suiting up for some other franchise. But with a good contract and the ability to shoot, something every team needs, Hardaway would be valuable in a trade, whether as part of a package or on his own. He fits well with Luka Doncic, whether it’s alongside the Mavericks’ superstar or providing firepower off the bench with Doncic sits. The Mavericks have some flexibility when it comes to Hardaway. His contract is very team-friendly, as the value descends each year. Hardaway has two years remaining on the four-year contract he signed back in 2021. Nick Nurse might be a coaching upgrade Contract status It was the type of all-around game you don’t usually see from shooters like Hardaway. He also dished out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds. It was a must-win game for Dallas, as so many were down the stretch, and though the Mavericks ended up losing, it wasn’t because of Hardaway. In the last week of the Mavericks’ season, Hardaway erupted for 31 points against the Miami Heat. And that’s a flaw due to the roster, not Hardaway. But as the roster is built, Hardaway has to play almost 30 minutes a game whether he’s hitting shots or not. If it’s not, he’s pulled for someone who with a more three-dimensional game. If his shot is falling, he gets more minutes. He’s a gunner who would be best coming off the bench and torching defenses from deep. The problem, as it has been with the Mavericks the last few seasons, is the Mavericks’ shallow depth has forced Hardaway into a more important role than he should have. Hardaway posted the lowest field goal percentage on two-point attempts (.431 percent) last season. The Mavericks definitely need someone on the perimeter who can be a more consistent scorer, and do more than just shoot threes. It can be maddening to see Hardaway score zero points the game after he scored 28, but he’s always been a streaky shooter, and that’s never going to change. He had 18 games where he made five or more threes. Hardaway had 19 games last season where he hit one or fewer 3-pointers. Hardaway is literally just as likely to go 0-for-7 from behind the arc as he is to go 6-for-11 and erupt for 28 points. The thing that frustrates Mavericks fans, and I’m sure the Mavericks themselves, is the lack of consistency. He has his flaws, but make no mistake, the man can shoot a basketball. Hardaway is a shooting guard with a capital S. returned to the Dallas Mavericks this year and stepped right back into the role he’s played for the last four and a half years. After missing the second half of last season, Tim Hardaway Jr. ![]()
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