The Dallas Mavericks are quickly regrouping following their recent NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. According to veteran NBA writer Marc Stein, the team is resuming its efforts to trade veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr. as part of their offseason strategy.
Hardaway, 32, is set to enter the final year of his contract with a salary of $16.2 million, down from $17.9 million last season. This contract situation makes him a more attractive trade piece for potential suitors. Hardaway, a former lottery pick, has been a valuable asset for the Mavericks over the past six seasons, known for his ability to score quickly and his career 36.0 percent three-point shooting accuracy. During the last regular season, he averaged 14.4 points per game and even received a vote for Sixth Man of the Year.
Despite his contributions, Hardaway fell out of favor during the playoffs. He was benched in all series except the second round against Oklahoma City, where he made a notable impact due to an injury to Maxi Kleber. In Game 4 of the Finals, Hardaway had a standout performance in garbage time, hitting five three-pointers in a short span. However, his inconsistent shooting and defensive shortcomings have rendered him a postseason liability.
The Mavericks are likely seeking a more reliable third scoring option to complement stars Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. While trading Hardaway alone might not yield significant returns, the team could explore interesting buy-low opportunities currently available in the market.
Dallas is actively pursuing a trade for Tim Hardaway Jr. to better align their roster with their championship aspirations. This move reflects their intent to build a more consistent and defensively sound team, capable of supporting their top-tier talent in future playoff runs.
