NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Atlanta Hawks
By John Buhler
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Shooting Guard, Atlanta Hawks
Two NBA Drafts ago, the Hawks traded their first-round pick Kelly Oubre Jr. to eventually land frustrated New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway. After two dismal years with the Knicks, Hardaway was on the verge of failing out of this league. He took to Budenholzer’s coaching in Atlanta and stands to make a serious bit of coin in his restricted free agency.
Hardaway has averaged 11.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in two years with the Hawks. He improved as a shooter to being 44.9 percent from the field while maintaining at 35.2 percent from distance.
In short, Hardaway has become more attractive since arriving in Atlanta as a basketball player. He will be one of those players that a lackluster team would put together a ridiculous offer sheet to see if Atlanta will match it. The two teams that come to mind in poaching Hardaway would be the Brooklyn Nets and the Utah Jazz. Both clubs are coached by former Budenholzer disciples in Kenny Atkinson and Quin Snyder, respectively.
Given that Hardaway plays a premium position out on the wing, Atlanta will inevitably end up overspending on him to bring him back on a second contract. While the Hawks could try to replace him with two-guards like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Dion Waiters, Atlanta needs stability more than anything. At least Hardaway has already bought into Budenholzer’s system.