Tim Hardaway Jr. has his offer.
It could be a return to where he started his professional career.
The Hawks restricted free agent signed a four-year, $71 million offer sheet from the Knicks, a deal that will play the shooting guard about $17.75 million a season. The Hawks and Hardaway’s agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed the offer sheet was signed late Thursday night. The Hawks have 48 hours to decide whether to match, a deadline of about 11 p.m. on Saturday. If not, Hardaway returns to New York where he spent his first two seasons.
According to ESPN, who along with The Vertical were the first outlets to break the news, the deal has a fourth-year player option and a 15 percent trade kicker.
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk has said retaining Hardaway is a priority. Now, it’s decision time. If the Hawks match, Hardaway would have the highest annual salary on the team and surpass the $16.9 million owed Kent Bazemore next season.
Hardaway, 25, played the past two seasons with the Hawks after they spent their first-round pick in 2015 to acquire the guard. Hardaway blossomed with the Hawks. He overcame a wrist injury and no playing time when he arrived. By the end of end of last season and the playoffs he was in the starting lineup. Hardaway averaged 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists, had a .357 3-point percentage and became a much-improved defender last season.
With the Hawks, Hardaway averaged 11.3 points in 130 games, including 31 starts. In his first two seasons with the Knicks, he averaged 10.8 points in 141 games, including 31 starts.
“Atlanta brought me here and it really felt like I was starting all over as a rookie when I got here,” Hardaway said during his exit interview in April. “They made me go through some tough times. They made me mature as a person on and off the court. And made me appreciate the game a whole lot more when I first came in the league. That’s what I’m thankful for.”
The Knicks drafted the 6-foot-6 Hardaway out of Michigan in the first round (No. 24 overall) in 2013. He was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie team.
The Hawks made Hardaway a $4.6 million qualifying offer last month. Hardaway did not accept and remained a restricted free agent.
“They brought me here because they believed in me and believed in what I’m capable of doing,” Hardaway said in April. “I’m thankful for it.”
The Hawks are undergoing major changes this offseason, although they have yet to sign a free agent of their own. Dwight Howard was traded to the Hornets. Paul Millsap agreed to a deal with the Nuggets as an unrestricted free agent. If Hardaway leaves, Dennis Schroder and Taurean Prince would be the only players to remain from the postseason starting lineup. Prince was a late addition to the unit during his rookie season.
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