Lakers Trade Prospects: Atlanta Hawks’ Tim Hardaway Jr Breakdown
By Eric Yee
Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Atlanta Hawks is one prospect the Lakers would be wise to target at the deadline
Before being traded to the Hawks, Tim Hardaway Jr. was a steady contributor the New York Knicks which makes his current position intriguing. In New York, per 36 minutes Hardaway increased his rookie averages from 15.8 to 17.2 points per game but fell victim to Phil Jackson‘s fire sale along with teammates J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert.
Traded for the 19th overall pick, who the Knicks used to draft Jerian Grant, the trade becomes even more confusing on the Hawks part when you realize that Hardaway has only played in 11 of their first 42 games without news of injury.
Atlanta currently ranks seventh in offensive efficiency and 10th in defensive efficiency, which is amazing considering they still lack a true superstar. However, considering the deadline is fast approaching and the playoffs are ever looming, the Hawks might be swayed to part with Hardaway Jr for the right pieces.
Coach Mike Budenholzer recently admitted that Hardaway was making improvements saying,
"I can promise you he is doing well and he is in a good place… There is a real emphasis on player development with us and we’ve seen guys who have come in and maybe not started out gangbusters but through work, time and effort they find a way."
Similar to his mentor Gregg Popovich, Budenholzen believes in the process, which is admirable, but in a win now league, the Hawk’s higher-ups might not feel the same.
Broken down to it’s simplest, a trade could look as follows:
Next: Why It Makes Sense For Atlanta