Dallas Mavericks won the Kristaps Porzingis trade

The THJ Boost

Tim Hardaway Jr’s stock had reached an absolute low point at the time of the trade last season. Teams wouldn’t touch him with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole. Yes, I just made a Christmas song reference in February. No, you cannot stop me.

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Hardaway Jr. was producing in New York. He averaged 19.1 points in 32.6 minutes per game at the time of the trade. THJ was owed $18.15 million for this season and has a player option in the summer of 2020 for $18.975 million. The Knicks wanted free of that obligation.

So how does Hardaway Jr. respond? He has the best season of his career and becomes an integral part of the Mavs’ success. His outside shooting and secondary playmaking next to Luka has been absolutely paramount. He is one of the key pieces that have elevated this team from lottery-bound to playoff contender.

It’s amazing what getting out of New York can do for careers huh? It’s also astonishing what buying into Rick Carlisle‘s system will do for you. Just ask J.J. Barea, Dwight Powell, Monta Ellis, Al-Farouq Aminu and okay, I’m gonna stop here before I get carpal tunnel.

At the time of the trade, Hardaway Jr. was seen as a tax for getting Porzingis. Now he’s a clear plus as the Mavericks third scorer and every night starter on a playoff-bound team.

Next: Two firsts and DSJ