Tim Hardaway Jr. Preview: Detroit's New Offensive Relief Valve

Tim Hardaway Jr.: A Key Addition for Detroit

When the Detroit Pistons acquired Tim Hardaway Jr. from the Dallas Mavericks this past summer, many fans were puzzled. This trade involved the departure of Quentin Grimes, a player with potential, whose growth timeline synced with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

Despite Grimes' flashes of talent, his injury struggles made the Pistons' situation challenging. Detroit craves a reliable shooter to create spacing for their young stars throughout the season. In the past five seasons, Hardaway maintained a shooting percentage of 38% from beyond the arc on nearly 7.5 attempts per game, establishing himself as a critical asset.

Addressing Team Needs

Detroit ranked 26th in three-point shooting and 29th in three-pointers made last season, making Hardaway's skill set essential. Whether starting or coming off the bench, his primary focus will be to score and shoot.

Last year with the Mavericks, Hardaway averaged 14.4 points with impressive shooting splits. His scoring primarily comes from outside, and he is not a frequent visitor to the rim.

Role in Offensive Strategy

While Hardaway won’t be the primary creator, his ability to catch and shoot is invaluable. He ranked 20th in the league in catch-and-shoot three-pointers last season.

• Almost 78% of his field goals last season came from assists.
• He'll partner with strong passers like Cunningham and Ivey to maximize scoring opportunities.

Potential Playmaking Role

Another potential use for Hardaway might be as a backup point guard. Head Coach JB Bickerstaff has options with the roster but could experiment with Hardaway bringing up the ball. It’s a non-traditional setup, utilizing one of their better shooters to also facilitate plays.

Defensive Contribution

While not a defensive standout, Hardaway has enough size to guard opposing wings effectively, assisting Cunningham and Ivey in limiting their fouls during games.

In summary, Hardaway Jr. embodies a much-needed relief valve for Detroit's offense. His scoring and shooting can alleviate pressure on their young core, ensuring the team maintains offensive fluidity this season.