Mavs Trying to Trade ‘Frustrated’ Tim Hardaway Jr. Ahead of NBA Draft, Free Agency
The Dallas Mavericks have had Tim Hardaway Jr. on the trade block for a few years, but now, with his contract expiring, they have a real chance of making a deal happen.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Mavs are “dangling” Hardaway’s $16.2 million expiring deal on the trade market to see what opportunities might materialize.
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“The Dallas Mavericks are dangling the expiring $16.2 million contract of guard Tim Hardaway Jr. on the trade market, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.
Although Hardaway never showed any signs of discontent while cheering on his Mavs teammates from the bench, he reportedly grew frustrated with his diminished role in the postseason.
“After appearing in 79 games and averaging 14.4 points off the bench, he became a non-factor in the playoffs, leading to frustration over his role and future with Dallas,” Scotto wrote.
It’s easy to understand why Hardaway is frustrated, because that’s just human nature. He puts in a lot of hard work and believes he’s earned the right to play a significant role on a nightly basis.
However, the on-court results matter more than one player’s ego, and the fact of the matter is that the Mavs’ two playoff runs in 2022 and 2024 were the best the franchise has experienced since the 2011 championship season. The common denominator? Hardaway wasn’t a factor in either postseason.
Hardaway has had some big regular-season moments for the Mavs since coming to Dallas in the 2019 Kristaps Porzingis trade from the New York Knicks. However, the Mavs now play a different brand of basketball that Hardaway has had a hard time adapting to, and therefore, a breakup will be good for both sides.
