Dallas Mavericks: 5 players with the most to prove at NBA Disney

Dallas Mavericks with most to prove at NBA Disney: 3. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Hardaway Jr. came to Dallas in the Kristaps Porzingis trade in Jan. 2019. Many viewed him as a throw-in to make the deal work. THJ entered the season as an inefficiency scorer coming off the bench. It was not until Seth Curry went down with an illness that Hardaway Jr. received the opportunity to start, and he never relinquished it.

The 28-year-old had the best shooting season of his career. The Mavs turned him into a catch and shoot option. He responded by hitting 40.7 percent from 3-point range this season.

Hardaway Jr. needs to prove that shooting is real during NBA Orlando. He is a career 35.4 percent shooter from three. Falling back to that could hurt his stock heading into a free agency decision this offseason. THJ has a player option for next season. Nobody knows what he will decide at this juncture.

The Mavericks need Hardaway Jr. to be a floor spacer and capable third scorer in the playoffs. He has played just 15 postseason games in his first seven seasons. Hardaway Jr. shot just 31.5 percent from the field and 23.2 percent from three in the playoffs. He needs to prove that he can maintain his shooting efficiency in the pressure-packed postseason.

Next: No. 2