Re-Drafting the 2013 NBA Draft

Michigan. Tim Hardaway Jr.. 24. player. 27. <p><strong>Original pick: Tim Hardaway Jr.</strong></p> <p>Another pick that lands in the same spot! What’s that, Knicks fans? Why are you booing?</p> <p>New York fans were <em>very</em> happy to unload Hardaway Jr. in a trade on the night of the 2015 NBA Draft, and the fact that the Knicks received a first round pick in exchange was a certain win. As a rookie, Hardaway Jr. generated some buzz by averaging 10.2 points per game and knocking down more than 36 percent of his threes, but that warm reception faded as his efficiency dipped in year two before the trade to Atlanta.</p> <p>The biggest issue with Hardaway Jr. is his lack of defensive aptitude. Though it is fair to say that he improved during his one season with the Hawks, the former Michigan swingman is still a liability on that end of the floor, and increased effort can only take you so far. Beyond that, his offensive tools are overrated, as he is only a 34 percent three-point shooter over the past two seasons, with somewhat limited ability to create his own offense beyond (bad) long two-point jumpers.</p> <p>Hardaway Jr. is very athletic and he has a famous name. Those two things aren’t going away any time soon. With that said, he isn’t particularly useful right now beyond a bench role as a pure scorer, and we might be kind in projecting him in the same spot three years later.</p>. SG