Set to hit the free agent market this summer, Tim Hardaway Jr. appears as an intriguing option for several teams including the Lakers.
Provided that Nick Young opts out of his contract at the end of the current season (something I still doubt), the Lakers will remain with a hole at the shooting guard position in the starting lineup and without a long-term solution if they intend to keep Clarkson coming off the bench.
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Tim Hardaway, poised to become a free agent this summer, could be the solution they are looking for.
He steadily progressed through the course of the season with the Hawks (nothing to do with last year) and looks like a good fit for Luke Walton & Co. On an average of 13.9 points per game, he is shooting a respectable 36% from three attempting 5 three-pointers per game, per Basketball-Reference.com. He is also a decent defender (especially in one-on-one situations) on a 1.6 defensive win share and, with his just turned 25 years old, fits the young nucleus as well.
THJ would prove a nice addition for the Purple and Gold, but only if his signing fits the long-term plan to sign Paul George. He is having a really good season, so he is going to command a very good contract.
Obviously, all this applies unless LA manages to retain his top draft pick and draft one between Lonzo Ball or Markelle Fultz, in which case they would probably try to pair them with D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt.
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What do you think? Would Hardaway be a good fit for the Lake Show? Should Rob Pelinka go after him in his first offseason as General Manager? Let us know in the comments below.