Tim Hardaway Jr.: The Nuggets’ Sixth Man Steal and Sixth Man of the Year Contender
Tim Hardaway Jr. is proving to be an invaluable asset for the Denver Nuggets, consistently delivering impactful performances off the bench. His recent contributions, including a crucial 11-point burst in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz, were instrumental in the Nuggets’ thrilling 135-129 come-from-behind victory. This game showcased not only his scoring ability – finishing with 21 points – but also his sharpshooting prowess, sinking five three-pointers.
This performance marked the 17th time this season Hardaway Jr. has reached the 20-point plateau, solidifying his role as a consistent scoring threat. What’s truly remarkable is the value he brings to the team, earning him praise as a “bargain” signing. Every time he catches fire, the Nuggets’ front office looks even smarter.
A Sixth Man of the Year Candidate
Head coach David Adelman’s commitment to Hardaway Jr. as the anchor of the bench has been pivotal to his success. This consistent role has positioned him as a strong contender for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award. Currently, Hardaway Jr. is averaging 13.8 points per game, while shooting a career-best 40.9% from beyond the arc.
He currently leads the league in three-pointers made off the bench with an impressive 210, ranking 10th overall in the NBA. He’s only 12 three-pointers behind teammate Jamal Murray, who recently set the franchise record for most made threes in a season (222 and counting). You can find more stats and analysis on NBA.com.
An Incredible Value
Looking at Hardaway Jr.’s performance relative to his contract, it’s clear the Nuggets secured a steal. As Tim MacMahon of ESPN aptly put it, he’s “one of the best values in the league on a veteran’s minimum deal.” The Nuggets are paying Hardaway Jr. just $2.296 million this season.
For comparison, Cameron Johnson, acquired in an offseason trade, is earning $21 million while averaging 11.9 points per game. While Johnson has recently improved, averaging 15.1 points on 49% shooting from three over his last 10 games (good for third on the team in scoring during that span), Hardaway Jr.’s impact at a fraction of the cost is undeniable.
The Future for THJ and the Nuggets
Hardaway Jr.’s exceptional play this year likely means he could command more than the veteran’s minimum on the open market. However, the Nuggets are already navigating a tight salary cap situation, well over the luxury tax threshold and nearing the second apron. Re-signing Peyton Watson is also a priority.
Therefore, securing Hardaway Jr.’s return may require him to accept a similar contract. But if he does, and the Nuggets can retain him, they’ll likely continue to look like geniuses every time he scores 20 or more points. The Nuggets’ success hinges on finding cost-effective contributors, and Tim Hardaway Jr. perfectly embodies that strategy.
This article was originally published on www.nugglove.com as The Nuggets look smarter every time Tim Hardaway Jr. gets hot.
