ESPN is reporting that the New York Knicks have signed shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to a large four-year offer sheet.
Former Knick and restricted free agent Tim Hardaway Jr. and the New York Knicks have reached an agreement on an offer sheet. This is surprising for two reasons: 1. Hardaway’s exit from New York didn’t seem pleasant and 2. The money is outrageous.According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Hardaway and the Knicks agreed on a four-year offer sheet worth $71 million.
Story with @Ianbegley: Restricted free agent Tim Hardaway Jr., has signed a 4-year, $71M offer sheet with New York.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2017
ESPN’s Ian Begley elaborates on the deal, stating that it includes a 15 percent trade kicker with a player option in the fourth year.
With @wojespn, Knicks' offer sheet to Tim Hardaway Jr. contains a 15% trade kicker, league sources told ESPN. 4th year is a player option.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 7, 2017
Hardaway was drafted 24th overall by the Knicks in 2013, but then Phil Jackson took over. The young swingman didn’t fit into the triangle offense and was quickly dispatched because of it.
He was also criticized by the enigmatic president and vowed to take that criticism to heart. Now Hardaway’s potentially on his way back to New York.
Hardaway is coming off the best season of his career. He averaged a career-high 14.5 points per game on a slash line of .455/.357/.766.
Knicks fans may not like this contract. If you’re on a ledge right now, keep in mind Atlanta can save you by matching.