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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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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 7: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on April 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 7: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on April 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Atlanta Hawks

Considering his improvement over the course of last season, the Hawks would be derelict in their duty to not consider Hardaway Jr. as one of their core building block’s for the coming years.

New general manager Travis Schlenk has wasted no time this offseason in setting his mark on the team. First, he traded center Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets in what was essentially a salary dump move. Furthermore, All-Star forward Paul Millsap explored his options from a number of teams before signing with the Denver Nuggets.

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Therefore, this leaves them with an abundance of room in their salary cap, and an emerging player such as Hardaway Jr. would seem to fit the bill. The Hawks recently extended Hardaway Jr. a qualifying offer, therefore making him a restricted free agent. This basically gives the Hawks to right to match any offer he receives on the open market.

And while they are seemingly keen to invest in Hardaway Jr., a couple of their recent front office moves may caution their front office from jumping all-in. Last summer, the Hawks re-signed forward Kent Bazemore to a four-year, $70 million deal. The team also extended point guard Dennis Schroder to a four-year, $70 million contract last offseason.

As a result, with Hardaway Jr. expected to fetch similar numbers this summer, this ultimately may prove too costly for a front office intent on rebuilding. Nonetheless, it will be fascinating to see what direction the Hawks take with Hardaway Jr. and the rest of their roster.

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