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Tim Hardaway Jr.: 5 potential landing spots in 2017 NBA free agency

By Simon Smith

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 09: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks lays in a basket against the Chicago Bulls at Philips Arena on November 9, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 09: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks lays in a basket against the Chicago Bulls at Philips Arena on November 9, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 04: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks defends against Anthony Brown #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on March 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 04: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks defends against Anthony Brown #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on March 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Lakers

The new firm in the Lakers’ front office of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have wasted no time in setting their mark on the franchise. On top of the selection of Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall pick, they jettisoned a former No. 2 overall pick, D’Angelo Russell, in order to rid themselves of the remaining three year’s of Timofey Mozgov’s contract.

Now while they won’t be in a mad rush to go out and spend their newly-acquired cap space, the Lakers will still need to make some decisions as to which players to target in order to improve their roster. With shooting guard Nick Young opting out of his deal, and incumbent shooting guard Jordan Clarkson somewhat stagnating last season, Hardaway Jr. represents a real option for the rebuilding job facing Johnson and Pelinka.

In such an instance, a short-term deal may need to be the option, as the Lakers have already made it clear they intend to make the summer of 2018 their priority, when a plethora of big name free agent’s hot the open market. As Johnson stated recently:

"“We’re not going to be a major player. We’re probably going to sign one or two guys, and there will be guys that fit a need for us, maybe a shooter, but other than that we’re excited about what we’ve already built.”"

A similar arrangement to what Dion Waiters signed with the Miami Heat last summer – a two-year deal with an opt-out clause after one season – would represent a great deal for both player and team. Hardaway Jr. can further audition himself in a situation where he would be a key piece of the offense, while the Lakers can both keep their cap flexibility and also determine if Hardaway Jr. is in their long-term plans.

As Waiters showed last season, betting on yourself can turn out for the best in the long run.

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