Knicks: 1 free agent signing to make, 1 free agent to avoid

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MAY 23: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz warms up before Game One of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 23, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 23: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on January 23, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Bringing Tim Hardaway Jr. back would be a disaster

Hardaway Jr. is a familiar face in New York given the fact that he’s spent a part of four different seasons playing for the Knicks. He also happens to be hitting free agency after a really good season for the Mavericks. The 29-year-old wing played efficient offensive basketball alongside Luka Doncic to the tune of 16.6 points per contest.

The Knicks certainly need to find an upgrade over Reggie Bullock at the two-guard position. In a vacuum, Hardaway Jr. could make sense as that kind of player. The problem is that he’s just not dynamic enough with the ball in his hands to really be a good fit with New York this time around.

Things might be different if he were an elite 3-point shooter. Some might see his mark of over 39 percent from distance this season as a sign that he’s reached that level. The simple truth is that he benefited massively from the open looks generated by Doncic’s genius with the ball. If he returns to New York as the team’s big summer signing he won’t be playing with a star that has anything close to that kind of gravity.

Next. 3 superstar free agents the Knicks can land. dark

Hardaway is a prime candidate to be overpaid this summer based on his statistics. Watching him play consistently reveals the truth that he was the biggest beneficiary of playing with Doncic. The Knicks can’t afford to be the team that overpays him based on that crucial detail.

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