The Dallas Mavericks have had a very productive offseason so far, looking to improve after their 11th-place finish in the West. They re-signed Kyrie Irving to a three-year deal, signed and traded for Grant Williams, and brought back Dwight Powell and Seth Curry—the latter coming for his third stint after playing for the Brooklyn Nets.
However, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the deals aren’t stopping for Dallas just yet. A veteran sharpshooter could be on the move.
NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Looking to Trade Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway Jr.’s Stint with Dallas
After spending four seasons with the New York Knicks and two with the Atlanta Hawks, Hardaway Jr. has spent the last five years of his career with the Mavs. Known widely as a three-point specialist, the 10-year veteran has boasted a career perimeter percentage of 36.1%. This past season, he averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 40% from the field and 38.5% from deep. Some of his notable performances include a season-high 31 points on 6-10 shooting from three in an Apr. 1 loss to the Miami Heat. He also recorded 28 points and went 5-14 from three off the bench in a Nov. 16 loss to the Houston Rockets.
THJ has been a bucket-getter throughout his career, though even top games like those were unable to get Dallas over the hump this season. It’s also worth noting that, at 31 years old, he isn’t getting any younger, and his four-year, $75 million contract isn’t getting that much cheaper, either. The Mavericks are paying Hardaway Jr. nearly $18 million next season and $16 million in 2024-25. With a team that is attempting to avoid the CBA’s second apron, it seems that moving on from THJ is the best course of action.
Latest Rumors and a Potential Landing Spot
Stein reported Friday that the Mavericks are “expected” to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. after his valuable contributions to the franchise. This comes several months after his name was mentioned in trade deadline discussions.
He also notes that trading Hardaway is not the only move the Mavs have in mind:
“Other players in that group include Dāvis Bertāns, whose contract was traded into Oklahoma City cap space on draft night to create the trade exception used to acquire Holmes, along with soon-to-be free agent Christian Wood, who we’ve been reporting since April would not be asked back.”
Lost in this equation is the fact that Dallas is trying to trade or waive JaVale McGee, who, according to Stein, was the sticking point in a potential trade for Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton. All in all, this offseason has been a whirlwind for the Mavericks, and the madness will only continue from here.
While Hardaway is looking for a new team, the market may be slim for him following free agency. However, there is one team that could use his perimeter prowess and veteran experience.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons had been linked to Hardaway Jr. in recent months, with a potential return involving forward Bojan Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic, a sharpshooter in his own right, is 34 years old and recently put up 21.6 points per game on 41% shooting from deep. The Pistons were looking to move him at the deadline and asking for a first-round pick in any potential return. It is unclear if those conditions are still true, but swapping perimeter threats (with Detroit acquiring some draft capital and, potentially, McGee) would be an ideal move.
Hardaway Jr. is a few years younger and on a friendlier contract, two immediate bonuses for Detroit. Add in his four years of playoff experience and the fact that he forged a relationship with franchise cornerstone Cade Cunningham, and Detroit has a perfect trade target who would fit right in.
The Last Word on Tim Hardaway Jr.
With Dallas head coach Jason Kidd staying true to his word that “there will be a lot of new faces,” the next domino to fall will be Tim Hardaway Jr. Finding a new destination for the veteran guard may not be as easy as it looks, but whatever path the Mavs find must benefit both sides.
