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Knicks Rumors: Tim Hardaway Jr. signs offer sheet with New York

By Maxwell Ogden

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 13: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks passes the ball against Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena on October 13, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 13: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks passes the ball against Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena on October 13, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Tim Hardaway Jr. has signed an offer sheet with the New York Knicks. The Atlanta Hawks will have until July 8 to match the contract.

The New York Knicks selected Tim Hardaway Jr. at 24 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. It was a rare example of the Knicks possessing a first-round draft pick, and an encouraging sign that the longstanding need for long-term development would be met.

Unfortunately, Hardaway was traded by the Knicks just two years into his NBA career—a development that may not have actually ended his career with New York.

Hardaway Jr. became a fan favorite during his time in New York. He’s since become one of the more intriguing young shooting guards in the Association, which has led to calls for the Knicks to bring him back to The Mecca.

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Hardaway has signed a four-year offer sheet with the Knicks.

The offer sheet is reportedly worth upwards of $71 million, averaging out at just under $18 million per year.

Atlanta has two days to match the contract offer before Hardaway rejoins the team that drafted him.

Hardaway Jr. is currently a restricted free agent, meaning his incumbent team will be able to match any contract offer he receives. That team, the Atlanta Hawks, is in the same position as New York in the sense that it’s embracing a youth movement.

Thus, it stands to reason that Mike Budenholzer’s crew could bring the 25-year-old shooting guard back to Atlanta.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley of ESPN, general manager Steve Mills has attempted to structure the deal in a way that will deter Atlanta from matching.

That may fall outside of Atlanta’s price range, but it’s far too soon to make a definitive statement.

Hardaway is coming off of a season during which he averaged a career-best 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 3-point field goals made per game. He did so on a slash line of .455/.357/.766.

Hardaway’s averages of 19.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.9 steals per 36 minutes were all career-highs.

Must Read: Pros and Cons of potentially trading for Marcus Smart

The question is: Will the Atlanta Hawks let Tim Hardaway Jr. walk and thus join the New York Knicks? If so, what does that mean for Courtney Lee?