New York Knicks: Reasons to love the Tim Hardaway Jr. signing

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 26: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks looks to pass while being defended by Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 26, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 18: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against Alexis Ajinca #42 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Philips Arena on October 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Athleticism

If the past is a sign of the future, then the New York Knicks aren’t going to receive lockdown defense from Tim Hardaway Jr. at shooting guard. What it would get with Hardaway, however, is a wing with above-average athleticism.

That may not be much of a selling point for most organizations, but for a team as grounded and sluggish as the Knicks, Hardaway Jr. would be a revelation.

New York finished 2016-17 at No. 24 in fast break points and No. 28 in points per transition possession. That glaring inability to generate points in the open floor severely limited the effectiveness of the offense.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek will look to push the pace more in 2017-18, which makes Hardaway Jr. an ideal player to place at shooting guard.

Hardaway averaged 1.17 points per possession in transition during the 2016-17 season. That’s far from an elite mark, but Atlanta ran a half court offense and rarely pushed the pace, which implies he could be more effective with a more up-tempo style.

With the ability to play above the rim, distribute to his teammates, and spot up in transition, Hardaway’s athleticism would be a welcome addition.