The Denver Nuggets have arguably one of the best offseason pickups on their roster in Tim Hardaway Jr.
After the veteran sharpshooter spent a season with the Detroit Pistons, Hardaway embraced a role as a bench player on a recent championship-winning team. Itâs safe to say that Hardawayâs impact stood out to his star teammates, and they hope that he gets league-wide recognition soon enough.
Following the Nuggetsâ season finale against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night, the Denver All-Star Jamal Murray stated a strong case for Hardaway to win the NBAâs Sixth Man of the Year award. The veteran sharpshooter is convinced that Hardaway is the clear favorite with the regular season now in the rearview.
Jamal Murray States His Case For Tim Hardaway Jr.
GettyDENVER, CO – OCTOBER 22: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets looks up during a timeout in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena on October 22, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
âI donât know how heâs not,â Murray told reporters. âScoring in bunches. Heâs not just coming in and making shots. You know, heâs doing a lot. Heâs talking, heâs into the ball, heâs engaged in every shot, heâs engaged in every opportunity he has, heâs a starter out there.â
The 13-year veteran has played many different roles over the years. During his final season with the Dallas Mavericks in 2023-2024, Hardaway started in just 12 of the 79 games he played. He was a top 10 candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award, coming ninth overall in the voting.
When Hardaway landed with the Detroit Pistons via trade ahead of the 2024-2025 season, he was utilized as a full-time starter for the young team. In 77 games, Hardaway shot 36.8% from three, averaging 11.0 points per game.
After becoming a free agent, Hardaway inked a one-year ($3.6 million) deal with the Nuggets. He appeared in 80 games, coming off the bench for all but six of those matchups. He saw the court for 26.6 minutes per game.
When on the court, Hardaway would knock down 40.7% of his threes, while taking 6.9 attempts per game. He produced 13.5 points per game and came down with 2.6 rebounds per game.
NBA Sixth Man of the Year Odds
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – DECEMBER 13: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after scoring against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half at American Airlines Center on December 13, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Heading into the final week of the regular season, Hardawayâs odds had him looking far from the favorite.
According to BetMGM (via USA Today), Hardawayâs odds were set at +6600. Thatâs the sixth-best on the list. In front of Hardaway was Aay Mitchell of the OKC Thunder, Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets, Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat, and Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs.
Johnsonâs odds were set at -400, while Jaquezâs sit at +350.
Throughout his career, Hardaway Jr. has been in the Sixth Man of the Year race three times. He popped up in the top 10 during his 2016-2017 run with the Atlanta Hawks. The closest heâs gotten to winning is when he finished fifth in the running in 2020-2021 with the Dallas Mavericks.
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