Hours before the deadline, talks between the Hawks and Tim Hardaway Jr. continued Monday but a contract extension is unlikely, according to several people familiar with the situation.
The Hawks and the guard have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to extend his rookie contract. If a deal is not reached, Hardaway will become a restricted free agent following the season.
There have been several conversations and, according to one person familiar with the situation, both sides would like to work out a long-term deal. However, the timing might be better in the spring.
Hardaway was acquired from the Knicks on draft night last year in exchange for the rights to No. 19 pick Jerian Grant. Hardaway played little at the start of last season as he was still working in the team’s player development system. He spent a short stint in the NBA Development League. Upon his return, he became a regular part of the Hawks rotation.
Hardaway had a strong offseason. He is the Hawks’ second-leading scorer after two regular-season games with an average of 14.0 points shooting 11 of 24 from the floor.
“We’ve had great conversations with his agent,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We very much value Tim and see him as a great fit for us. He and his agent feel the same. Whether that leads to something (by the deadline), we’ll see.”
The Hawks signed Dennis Schroder to a four-year, $70 million rookie contract extension last week.
