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New York Knicks: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA season

By Kenneth Teape

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Trey Burke #23 and Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Trey Burke #23 and Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA season
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Tim Hardaway Jr. plateaus

The Knicks shocked the basketball world when they agreed to an offer sheet with Tim Hardaway Jr., who was a restricted free agent. New York had traded Hardaway to the Atlanta Hawks during the 2015 NBA Draft. Two years later, the Knicks signed him to a four-year deal worth almost $71 million.

Hardaway turned 26 last month, so there is still time for him to grow. He is entering his prime, which is when you’d want to sign a player. However, Hardaway didn’t show much improvement this season.

While he put up career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game, a lot of that was courtesy of his career high in minutes per game. His offensive efficiency dropped, but he had a career-high-tying usage percentage. His assist percentage also worsened, while his rebounding and steal percentages were slightly above his career numbers.

Hardaway’s shooting struggles were really head scratching. He shot a career-low 31.7 percent from the 3-point line and 42.1 percent overall. Injuries also hampered him throughout the season, as he only played 57 games.

It was a difficult first season back in New York for Hardaway. Hopefully, he will be able to bounce back next season. The contract that the Knicks signed him to will make it very difficult to move him in the future, so the team has to hope this season was an aberration, not the norm.

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