2017 NBA free agency grades: Knicks make big offer to Tim Hardaway Jr.

The New York Knicks and restricted free agent Tim Hardaway Jr. have agreed to a four-year, $71 million offer sheet.

The 2017 NBA free agency period has brought out some amazing deals for players around the league — just not from the New York Knicks until a familiar name popped up on their radar.

Former Knicks first round draft pick Tim Hardaway Jr. was offered a lucrative four-year, $71 million deal from New York Thursday night, leaving many critics stunned.

Hardaway Jr. is a restricted free agent, the Atlanta Hawks have two days to either match the offer or let him sign with the Knicks.

It’s unclear if the Hawks will match the offer to keep the former Michigan Wolverine who averaged a career-high 14.5 points on 46 percent shooting in 79 games last year. Hardaway Jr. thrived after long time shooting guard Kyle Korver was traded midseason to the Cleveland Cavaliers, propelling him into the starting shooting guard role.

There is no questioning the effectiveness of Hardaway Jr. in the league, but at the price New York is offering it’s pretty odd considering the logjam currently on the roster. Hardaway, if he does eventually go back to New York, will be joining a team that already has Courtney Lee starting at shooting guard with wing players Lance Thomas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas and soon to be signed rookie Damyean Dotson.

The more interesting part of this story is the realization that New York had to relinquish its rights to Derrick Rose, whose $30 million salary cap hold had to be removed to create the offer sheet. Rose was acquired last summer via trade with the Chicago Bulls, who received Jerian Grant — the original player New York traded Hardaway Jr. for on draft night in 2015.

Hardaway Jr. suffered through growing pains at the start of his tenure with the Hawks, eventually being sent down to the developmental league for a few games. The experience rejuvenated him as he stepped up admirably for the team helping to lead the playoff charge last season. He spoke with reporters late last year about the humbling experience and its impact on his career moving forward.

"“It was rough, I felt like a rookie again. It made me realize the position I’m in. It hurt a lot when (Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer) told me I wasn’t playing for the first 20-something games. But it fueled me to become a better person, to become more mature and a better player.“I wasn’t taking the game seriously enough before, I needed to get knocked down a bit. I changed my diet, started going to bed earlier, and only drinking water. I realized if I was going to have a career like my dad’s I needed to put in the extra work.”"

Hardaway Jr.’s growth as a player in the league may have played a pivotal role in his contract for the Knicks and his positive familiarity with the organization helped as well.

The night he was traded did not sit well with Carmelo Anthony, since the two shared a close friendship. Anthony is still on the trade block, so don’t expect a reunion on the court as this move is more likely a scoring replacement for the 10-time NBA All-Star.

The move all but indicates the end of Derrick Rose in New York and probably Courtney Lee next to make room for Hardaway Jr.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

It may not be the most appealing move of the summer in NBA free agency but it’s a move that Knicks fans will take some time to get re-acquainted with next season.

Grade: C