New York Knicks Sign Tim Hardaway Jr. to Four Year, $6.1 Million Dollar Contract
By Bryan Rose
Earlier today, the New York Knicks agreed to a four year, $6.1 million dollar contract with rookie guard, Tim Hardaway Jr.
On the surface, the money and years do look a bit excessive for the 24th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, but it’s a standard scale rookie contract that should be equipped with team options/qualifying offers.
Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York:
"#Knicks reached an agreement today with 1st-round pick Tim Hardaway Jr. (standard 4-yr, $6.1 million deal), agent Mark Bartelstein said."
Many assume that NBA rookie scale contracts are set in stone, but rather, they just have set parameters. Teams and plays do have small amounts of wiggle room, especially towards the lower end of the first round as teams picking in those positions often have salary cap issues and try to get their draft picks to sign a lower scale deal. Top picks almost always sign for the maximum amount possible.
Hardaway was named to the All Big Ten team by coaches this past season at Michigan, though isn’t expected to see a ton of floor time with the Knicks this season after they re-signed J.R. Smith.