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Philadelphia 76ers: A trade proposition for the New York Knicks

By Simon Smith

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Proposed deal

Despite Fultz’s potential, the Sixers’ second unit currently lacks a punch. Whether that means Fultz starts and either Dario Saric or Robert Covington comes off the bench, only time will tell.

With this in mind, here’s the proposed deal involving Tim Hardaway Jr., Wilson Chandler and Jerryd Bayless, which works out financially on the ESPN Trade Machine:

In his first season as a returning Knick, Tim Hardaway Jr. was wildly inconsistent. In 57 games, Hardaway averaged 17.5 points in 33.1 minutes per game on a Knicks team that won just 29 games and was again out of playoff contention. Despite his overall shooting woes, Hardaway still managed to demonstrate flashes of explosiveness, whereby he had 13 games in which he nailed at least four triples.

This display against the Washington Wizards on Feb. 14 is just one example of what Hardaway is capable of producing:

With the ability to play off the ball and create his own shot, Hardaway would provide the Sixers with a distinct point of difference. Furthermore, with the ability to play at both the 2 and 3 spots, head coach Brett Brown and his staff would be provided additional flexibility, should Hardaway start or come off the bench.

For the Knicks, obtaining the expiring contracts of Chandler and Bayless would wipe $21 million off the books come next summer, thus making them legitimate players in a free agency class consisting of the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

In all, while he hass yet to establish himself as a consistent perimeter threat, Hardaway could thrive in a winning environment, and playing alongside a point guard of the caliber of Ben Simmons. With their constant ball movement and a clear embrace of the 3-point line, a Sixers-Hardaway partnership could prove to be a surprising success.

Next. Ranking all 30 starting NBA shooting guards for 2018-19. dark

However, the pitfalls of such a deal should be considered too. Hardaway shot a meager 42.1 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from 3-point range last year, he’s still owed $54.5 million over the next three years, and his arrival would eat into Philly’s cap space to make a game-changing move in 2019 free agency.