According to ESPN NBA Reporter Zach Lowe, the Hawks are looking to deal Tim Hardaway Jr. and are only seeking 2nd round picks in return.
Report: Hawks shopping Tim Hardaway Jr. for second-round picks https://t.co/qksRwOpv62
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) January 10, 2017
It appears as though the heart and soul of the team Paul Millsap is no longer on the trade block (if you choose to really believe that), but it is still clear that the Hawks are looking to make moves and blow up their roster. More picks and more space to work with.
According to Lowe, the Hawks do not want to pay Hardaway Jr. and give him a new contract this summer. A guy, even of his caliber, could stand to earn at least $10 million per year in free agency as a young wing with scoring potential.
Hardaway Jr. is averaging 11.7 points on 44.7% shooting and 35.3% from three point range is 22 minutes per game.
Although Hardaway has become a more passable defender with better coaching in Atlanta, he is still a slightly inefficient wing scorer who is a far below average rebounder or passer. He has limited value as a scoring spark of the bench and provides little else.
A Hardaway trade would benefit the Hawks by opening up minutes for DeAndre Bembry and Taurean Prince to gain some experience. He could also help an offensively starved team in need of some wing scoring and shooting (76ers?) and provide an option to fill a need while containing his Bird rights heading into free agency.
Expect Hardaway Jr. to be in a new uniform by the time the trade deadline passes.
