Out of the offseason moves that the Denver Nuggets made via free agency and trades, the one that you heard the least about was Tim Hardaway Jr. The team signed him to a one-year, veteran's minimum deal, adding another shooter off the bench. It was a good move for the Nuggets, but nobody knew just how good it'd be through the first few weeks of the season.
Hardaway is averaging 11 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, shooting a whopping 45.9% from three in 22.8 minutes off the bench. He's averaging the most three-point attempts per game (5.5) on the team, and his three-point percentage is the highest (minus DaRon Holmes II, who is shooting 1-of-1 from deep this season).
David Adelman praised Hardaway for getting his shot off "so easily and quickly." Another bonus of THJ's game is that he doesn't let a couple of misses throw him off. He isn't afraid to launch it up there. Shooters shoot, right?
Signing with Denver was sort of a full-circle moment for Hardaway because his father, Tim Hardaway Sr., spent a little time with the Nuggets during the 2001-02 season. Over two decades later, THJ is repping No. 10 for Denver, just like his father. You can bet that Hardaway Sr. is enjoying watching his son thrive during his first few weeks in the Mile High City.
Tim Hardaway Jr. signing was an underrated move by the Nuggets
What has made THJ's production start to the season even better for Denver is that the team's top offseason trade acquisition, Cam Johnson, has struggled from three, shooting 21.1% from deep and averaging 7.2 points per game. Christian Braun, who shot 39.7% from three last season, is shooting only 21.4% so far this season. Hardaway has come up big for the Nuggets in more ways than one.
Depending on the severity of the injuries that Johnson and Braun left the game early with during the team's win over the Clippers on Wednesday, THJ could make his first start of the season for Denver on Saturday in Minnesota. He started the second half in LA in place of Braun.
Here is a reminder that he's making only $3.63 million this season, which is a substantial amount for the everyday person, but in NBA terms, it's not a lot. Value is more important than ever under the CBA, and Hardaway Jr. is looking like he could outplay his salary, based on how he's started the season.