Tim Hardaway Jr.: Impact Player For The Atlanta Hawks?

Tim Hardaway Jr. became a member of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2015 NBA Draft this past Thursday after being traded from the New York Knicks in exchange for the 19th pick in the draft, Jerian Grant of Notre Dame in what was already a tumultuous week for the team. Many fans were unhappy with this draft night transaction by the new faces of the Atlanta Hawks front office, President of Basketball Operations Mike Budenholzer, and GM Wes Wilcox.

Hardaway, the 24th pick in the NBA Draft in 2013, has had his ups and downs during his first two years as a pro. A sharpshooter coming out of the University of Michigan, Tim Hardaway Jr. immediately made an impact on the New York Knicks, becoming an effective scorer off the bench. He garnered praise from all around the league, and eventually finished 5th in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting.

After an impressive debut in the 2013-2014 season, Hardaway’s stats came back to Earth in 2014-2015, all the while demonstrating glaring defensive and offensive flaws in his game. While not the best defender in college or at the professional level, Hardaway has shown a propensity to turn it on only when he feels so inclined. On the offensive end, his field goal percentage regressed to 38.9 percent, and his three-point percentage dipped to 34.2 percent

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Mike Budenholzer’s system thrives when players not only shoot the ball at an effective clip, but play lockdown defense. During Hardaway’s tenure in the Big Apple, he showed inconsistencies at both ends. One minute he is hot as a skillet but can go ice-cold before you can snap your fingers. There is no doubting that Hardaway can shoot the ball; it’s just a matter of refining that skill.

Despite the flaws in his game, Mike Budenholzer and the Atlanta Hawks front office remain very confident that they can unlock Hardaway’s potential as a shooter and as a great defender in their system. The fact that the Atlanta Hawks decided to jettison their first round pick(s) to obtain Hardaway shows the strength of their faith that they can make him an important part of the team, as well as showcasing their belief that Hardaway was a better potential option for depth than any other player that was still on the draft board.

“If he can continue to become a more effective shooter, Atlanta Hawks fans will be ecstatic with Hardaway’s addition to the team.”

So how does Tim Hardaway Jr. fit into the Atlanta Hawks current system and depth chart? The team lacked depth at almost every position during the Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers; and the biggest hole was left following Kyle Korver’s injury at the shooting guard position. Kent Bazemore valiantly attempted to fill in for the injured Korver, but his lack of offensive acumen was too much for the Hawks to overcome the depth deficiency at the 2-guard position.

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It was clear that the Atlanta Hawks had to address the problem either via the NBA Draft or through Free Agency. They decided to address the problem during the draft (in a manner of speaking), while in the process saving them more money for the impending Free Agency period.

Hardaway comes to Atlanta with one year left on his contract and $1.3 million owed to him next year. This is an incredibly affordable and a small risk for the Atlanta Hawks to take, with the potential to truly benefit them while they are in win-now mode. This was a safe option for the club, adding a young player with two years pro experience but still possessing the potential to become a significantly improved asset for the team. At the very least, they still added a player that improved their depth and is incredibly affordable.

May 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks to his players during the second quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Hardaway Jr. gives the Hawks options when Korver is on the bench. On the offensive end, the Hawks will have added another effective shooter who will become more of a threat if he continues to develop, and a potentially solid defender. His real value is offensively, as Hardaway could transform into a sixth man type of player if he matures.

DeMarre Carroll was a similar risk when he signed with the Atlanta Hawks two seasons ago. Through Budenholzer’s guidance, Carroll thrived in the Hawks system, becoming a legitimate offensive threat by developing his three-point shot and continuing to refine his defensive play. He likely will sign a $40+ Million contract this offseason.

If Mike Budenholzer can accomplish the same type of refinement and improvement in Tim Hardaway Jr. that he did with DeMarre Carroll, it will be a testament to his skill and talent as a coach — and I think there is a very good chance that he will be successful. Hardaway has shown the potential to become something greater than he displayed during his first two seasons in the league.

If he can continue to become a more effective shooter, Atlanta Hawks fans will be ecstatic with his addition to the team. By coming to a title contender and working with one of the best coaches in the NBA, the sky is the limit for the former Michigan standout.

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