New York Knicks: Tim Hardaway Jr. has much to prove in 2018-19

Although the New York Knicks are not in a position to compete this year, a lot will be expected of the 26-year-old shooting guard.

When Tim Hardaway Jr. signed his four-year, $71 million offer sheet with the New York Knicks last July, he was not only signing his way into a lot of money.

The former Michigan Wolverine also signed his way into a lot of scrutiny and attention, as big contracts are not taken lightly in New York.

Having completed the first season of the contract with averages of 17.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, the jury remains out on whether it was a fitting amount of money to pay for the 25-year-old shooting guard at the time.

With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined and a group of young players set to play big minutes on a team looking to find an identity, this season is as important as any for Hardaway.

This is the season in which Hardaway can prove that he deserves the lucrative contract bestowed upon him, as well as assert himself as a quality starter in the NBA as the front office looks to build a playoff contender in the upcoming years.

Hardaway Jr. had a great start to last season before a stress fracture practically forced him to spend the rest of the season returning his left leg to full strength. His 17.5 point average was a career high.

His shooting percentages, in part due to his injury, dropped to 31.7 percent from three and 42.1 percent from the field. He will need to improve on those in year two of his second stint in New York.

Since being drafted by the New York Knicks with the 24th pick of the 2013 draft, the son of five-time all-star Tim Hardaway has steadily improved throughout his five seasons in the NBA.

What makes this season even more crucial for Hardaway Jr. is the makeup of the 2019 draft class. The Knicks will likely have a high lottery pick in a draft loaded with potentially franchise-altering wings such as RJ Barrett, Romeo Langford, Cameron Reddish, and more.

If Hardaway has a lackluster season while being paid seventeen-plus million dollars, it would not be unreasonable for the front office to deal him to a more competitive team in order to draft one of the many talented wings that will be available as well as acquire draft picks, young talent, or clear cap space.

Being looked upon to become a primary scorer with Kristaps Porzingis on the mend, the 2018-19 season could become a career-defining season for Tim Hardaway Jr. in the minds of Knicks fans.