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Dallas Mavericks: How Tim Hardaway Jr is the most critical Mav right now

By Reid Hanson

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks takes a shot against Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2018 in New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks takes a shot against Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2018 in New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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While Kristaps Porzingis was undoubtedly the headliner in the Dallas Mavericks winter blockbuster trade, it’s Tim Hardaway Jr. who is key to our present season.

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off the blockbuster of the season when they traded for Kristaps Porzingis last week, but at the present time it’s Tim Hardaway Jr who’s the most important to the team.

Hardaway may be part throw-in and part salary dump, but he has tremendous value for the Mavs present set of circumstances. That’s because Porzingis is expected to sit out the duration of the season. As we know, Dallas sent three of their starters (Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, and Wesley Matthews) to New York to make this trade happen. The Dallas Mavericks must find a way to replace those players’ production, without the primary player they received in return.

The weight of that production falls on Tim Hardaway Jr. From the Knicks perspective, Hardaway was included in the deal primarily as a salary dump. Since New York is expected to make a run at Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant this summer, clearing Hardaway’s contract was imperative.

Luckily for the Mavs, Hardaway is still a productive player. The 26-year-old guard was averaging 19.1 points per game with New York. He wasn’t terribly efficient but some of that can be blamed on his circumstance with the Knicks.

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Hardaway is overpaid, but that shouldn’t take away from what he offers. He was ill-suited to be the primary option but as a third or fourth option, he could be great for the Mavs. Most of all, the Dallas Mavericks need efficiency from him. They are determined to play for the eighth seed and currently sit four-games back. They can’t allow Hardaway to shoot 15+ shots a game anymore because they have better options.

Ideally, Luka Doncic will pick up a portion of the slack left by the departures. Harrison Barnes is also someone who stands to gain offensively. But after them it’s going to need to be Hardaway.

Also included in the trade to Dallas were Trey Burke, 26, and Courtney Lee, 33. Burke has flashed scoring in the past but his shot selection and love for isolation is sure to give Rick Carlisle fits. He’s likely to see heavy minutes one day and the dog house the next day. Depending on him daily just isn’t very likely. Lee is nothing more than a situational role player at this point.

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Next. What Porzingis' addition means for the Mavs going forward. dark

Given the circumstances of the recent trade, the Dallas Mavericks are severely undermanned for their playoff push. They’re going to need Tim Hardaway Jr. to pick up a significant portion of the slack, and need him to do it efficiently.

  • Published on 02/06/2019 at 14:00 PM
  • Last updated at 02/06/2019 at 10:21 AM
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