Nuggets will soon come to a Tim Hardaway Jr. realization that Mavericks always knew

The Dallas Mavericks traded Tim Hardaway Jr. along with three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons for Quentin Grimes immediately after last season's NBA Finals. After one season in Detroit, Hardaway Jr. has now signed a one-year contract with the Denver Nuggets to join Nikola Jokić's team.

Nuggets fans anticipate significant contributions from Hardaway Jr., particularly his bench scoring and perimeter shooting. He excels as a reserve who can rapidly generate offensive bursts and score in clusters, with Denver expected to leverage his ability to "get hot quickly" from three-point range.

Hardaway Jr.'s season in Detroit revealed limitations in his full-time starter role, where he was required to start every game. His inconsistent performances highlighted that he thrives better as a bench specialist or occasional starter rather than carrying nightly starting responsibilities.

During his Mavericks tenure, Hardaway Jr. demonstrated value as a crucial sixth man despite late-season struggles. His memorable shot-making and two top-10 finishes in Sixth Man of the Year voting underscore his effectiveness when deployed in a consistent bench role where he historically performed at his peak.

The Nuggets' wing depth allows strategic deployment of Hardaway Jr.'s shooting without immediate starting pressure. This aligns with his Dallas success, where defined minutes maximized his impact. His addition addresses Denver's league-low three-point attempt rate last season—while they ranked fifth in accuracy (37.6%), increased volume is needed to match NBA trends.

Hardaway Jr. averaged 7.5 three-point attempts per game over 352 appearances with Dallas, demonstrating willingness to shoot from deep—a trait that dropped to 5.9 attempts in Detroit. In Denver, he'll function as a complementary scorer alongside Jokić and Jamal Murray, benefiting from their offensive gravity to secure open looks while aiming to revitalize his career.