NBA fans stunned by Tim Hardaway Jr.’s $71 million deal
Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is a New York Knick once again after the Atlanta Hawks did not match the Knicks' four-year, $71 million offer sheet on the restricted free-agent.
The Hawks had until Saturday afternoon to match the offer, but notified the Knicks of their decision a few hours ahead of the deadline.
Last season with the Hawks, Hardaway averaged 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists and shot 45.5 percent from the field and 35.7 percent beyond the arc.
"Bringing back Tim to his original NBA home is an exciting time for him and this franchise," Knicks general manager Steve Mills said, according to ESPN.
Hardaway was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Knicks and spent the last two seasons in Atlanta.
NBA fans took to Twitter over the weekend sharing they were overwhelmingly surprised the Knicks offered Hardaway a $71 million contract.
Me: "I know you overpaid Hardaway but i kinda dig his game, he was good last year."
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 7, 2017
Knicks pal: "We could've just drafted Monk."
(Silence)
🙄🙄— Daniel Mogollon (@SportsMasterDan) July 10, 2017They OVERPAY to sign Tim Hardaway Jr. & won't a let a real GM pick his own people. I thought Phil Jackson was the #Knicks problem
Really hope the Knicks know planning their future for Tim Hardaway Jr to be the 3rd best player won't get them a title
— Seth Marks (@sethmarks3) July 10, 2017
That Hardaway contract is ridiculous. How do the Knicks expect to pull themselves out of the hole they're in with stupid decisions like this
— Jai (@jai_rankine) July 10, 2017
🤕— Brent Mcgaha (@BrentMcgaha2) July 10, 2017Tim Hardaway Jr. to Knicks....What are the Hawks doing?
Tim Hardaway Jr is a tax write off
— Ex-Knicks Fan (@KnicksHateMe) July 10, 2017
Knicks are the dumbest franchise in modern sports history...pass on Dennis Smith Jr...pay Hardaway Jr $71M...miss David Griffin. SMDH!
— Steveland J. Wonder (@TheRealStevieJ) July 10, 2017
😂— D.Brown (@Dbrown_96) July 9, 2017Knicks traded Hardaway Jr. just to bring him back and over pay him ...
💣t (@_DueceTwo) July 9, 2017Just remember that the Knicks signed Tim Hardaway Jr for 71 Mil, passed on Malik Monk and Dennis Smith, & are basically exiling Melo from NY
— Elli
We all know the knicks dont like winning. They traded hardaway and then got him back for $71 million. Not to mention melo and phil jackson https://t.co/FkhLAiBRgV
— Matt Pisani (@pisannd5) July 9, 2017
The only thing more laughable than Tim Hardaway Jr getting $71M is the @NYKnicks owner trying to be a pop star. #NBASummer #Knicks #big3
— TheRuggedMale (@TheRuggedMale) July 9, 2017
