{"id":741583,"date":"2017-09-18T11:31:52","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T15:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/?p=741583"},"modified":"2017-09-18T11:31:52","modified_gmt":"2017-09-18T15:31:52","slug":"can-tim-hardaway-jr-validate-the-knicks-big-investment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/news\/can-tim-hardaway-jr-validate-the-knicks-big-investment\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Tim Hardaway Jr. Validate the Knicks’ Big Investment?"},"content":{"rendered":"
When the Knicks fired Phil Jackson and slotted Steve Mills in his place as President of Basketball Operations, there was supposed to be an obvious change in the guard. In addition to an improved and more loyal culture, there were (assumedly) going to be smarter decisions being made. The bloated and unnecessary contracts, much like the one awarded to Joakim Noah in the summer of 2016, were supposed to be a thing of the past, especially with the Knicks going younger and building from the ground up.<\/p>\n
Re-acquiring Tim Hardaway Jr., a player whom Jackson adamantly and openly criticized and subsequently discarded, was a clear message that the organization would be doing things differently. Signing him to a surprising four year, $70 million pact didn’t exactly send the same message of change.<\/p>\n
Of course, Hardaway Jr. has very different circumstances than someone like Noah. He’s only 25 years old, and undeniably has plenty of promise and the best years of his career still ahead of him. The young gun has battled injuries here and there during his career, but after playing in 79 games last season, looks to be as reliable as ever. What’s more, Hardaway Jr. is embracing his return to New York by working tirelessly and readying himself to take on a more prominent role. This offseason, it’s been well documented that he’s been working out and training with popular and renown trainer Chris Brickley. All the while, he’s been competing alongside the likes of teammates Carmelo Anthony,<\/a> Lance Thomas, and Frank Ntilikina, in addition to NBA stars Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and James Harden. There hasn’t been a lack of talent for Hardaway Jr. to stack up against.<\/a><\/p>\n Having so much potential often means a player hasn’t realized his own just yet. Though Hardaway Jr. continues to improve, $70 million is a rather eye-popping number for a player who some around the league still consider to be relatively unproven. As a restricted free agent, the Hawks were\u00a0said to be\u00a0considering retaining the guard’s services for more of a ballpark figure around $45-$50 million for the same contract duration. Adding $20 million plus to any potential offer certainly helped the Knicks deter Atlanta from attempting to match their offer sheet. New York didn’t stop there, however, also awarding Hardaway Jr. with a player option in the fourth year. They placed a trade kicker in his contract and their offer also stipulated that 50% of Hardaway Jr.’s annual salary is paid out by October 1st each year. These are all very steep measures to even consider accommodating a player of Hardaway Jr.’s status with.<\/p>\n The Hawks didn’t want to come anywhere near such a contract, so it’s clear the Knicks’ strategy to acquire him worked. But this\u00a0also begs the question of, was it really all necessary? Could New York have still acquired him for less money or fewer accommodations? As it stands, the team will now need to pay Hardaway Jr. and work under all the same stipulations that they implemented to scare Atlanta off.<\/p>\n Still, there are people around the league who applaud the move and credit the Knicks for finding someone who fits into their desired identity.<\/p>\n