Rumors: Dallas Mavericks explored trade market for Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks did not have Tim Hardaway Jr. during last season’s run to the Western Conference Finals. The 6’5 wing suffered a season-ending foot injury on Jan. 25 that required surgery.

THJ is back in the gym working out and healthy. The team continues to talk about him like a free agent signing. There is excitement about his return to the lineup because his scoring and shot-making coming off the bench can be game-changing. Hardaway Jr. is a clear upgrade over Frank Ntilikina and Josh Green, who each received postseason minutes on the wing.

The Mavs have also shopped THJ on the trade market this summer in hopes of finding a deal that improves their roster balance. Fans have speculated about Hardaway Jr. being on the trade block, but Jake Fischer confirmed it on his latest Please Don’t Aggregate This podcast episode. Here is a look at what Fischer had to say before diving in further on THJ’s trade market and why the Mavericks want to move him.

Rumors: Dallas Mavericks explored the trade market for Tim Hardaway Jr.

Collin Sexton was at the center of the discussion on the podcast with Chris Fedor noting the Cavaliers do not have interest in any of the pieces Dallas could send to Cleveland in a potential sign-and-trade. That prompted Fischer to say this.

"Dallas people have both said we are excited about Tim Hardaway Jr., in theory, being our big offseason addition coming back from injury. He’s going to be back. They also explored the trade market for him at the deadline and again this summer, so he’s definitely a name they’ve brought up to other teams. He hasn’t played in a year, and he’s still got a lot of money left on that deal, and there is a general sense around the NBA that $15-plus AAV salaries for shooters have kind of become negative contracts."

Hardaway Jr. struggled in coach Kidd’s system last season when he was healthy. He averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.9 steals, but he was playing under 30 minutes per game and shooting under 40 percent from the field. The Mavs had success in the postseason playing two strong perimeter defenders next to Luka Doncic, and THJ does not fit that bill.

Dallas would like to trade Hardaway Jr. for a 3-and-D wing or another ball-handler. The 30-year-old wing is a shot-maker that is not the best fit in Kidd’s system.

Tim Hardaway Jr. needs to get back on the court and get off to a hot start to improve his trade value. No team is excited about trading for a player over 30 that is coming off season-ending foot surgery. THJ may not have a ton of trade value, but teams will be willing to take him on as a salary matcher in a deal if they get draft pick compensation in return.

The Dallas Mavericks are going to continue shopping Tim Hardaway Jr. They would love to make a trade before training camp begins, and THJ is the most likely Maverick to be moved in that deal. Can the Mavs find the right move? Stay tuned to find out.