Dallas Basketball

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mavs Agree To 4-Year $70-Plus Million Deal

The Dallas Mavericks opened free agency by agreeing to bring back one of their top players on a team-friendly deal

Matt Galatzan

The Dallas Mavericks got off to a familiar start to the opening of the free agency period on Monday afternoon, agreeing in principle to re-sign veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr. to a 4-year deal worth more than $72-million

Bringing back Hardaway was a priority for new general manager Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd after the 29-year old became one of the team's unquestioned go-to options in their most recent playoff run.

READ MORE: Dallas Mavs Contract Updates: Luka Doncic Waits, Tim Hardaway Near Deal

In the 2020-21 season, Hardaway had one of his best years as a pro, averaging 16.6 points, and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 44.7-percent from the field and 39.1-percent from three -- both of which were the second-best shooting percentages of his nine-year career. 

Hardaway also developed an uncanny rapport with Mavs superstar Luka Doncic who has helped Hardaway realize his potential as a volume scorer over the last three seasons with the Mavericks since coming over in the trade for Kristaps Porzingis.

The numbers, first reported by Shams, come in lower than some expected. Next to discover is the structure of the deal. Ideally, it leaves room later for the retention of Doncic and others.

READ MORE: Source: Mavs Not Expected To Sign DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry

Hardaway particularly found his stride coming off of the bench for Dallas as part of the second unit, where he provided a much-needed scoring punch to an otherwise pedestrian reserve group. 

Hardaway was so good off of the bench, in fact, that he was in the running for the NBA's Sixth Man Of The Year award for much of the season. That award eventually went to Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz. 

With Hardaway now secured, alongside veteran big man Boban Marjanovic, the Mavs will look to fill holes around the rest of the roster, as they continue their quest to take the next step behind Doncic's leadership.

CONTINUE READING: LOOK: Dallas Mavs Release NBA Summer League Roster & Schedule

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com, AllAggies.com, and the Managing Editor of BuckeyesNow.com and TheGroveReport.com. He is also the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration.  Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network.  When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later.  Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered.  Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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