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Detroit Pistons Rumor: Free agent target Tim Hardaway Jr. is a perfect fit

By Thomas Chavez

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 16: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks converts a three point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter of the game at Target Center on May 16, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 16: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks converts a three point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter of the game at Target Center on May 16, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
DALLAS, TEXAS – JUNE 04: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

As the Detroit Pistons near the start of free agency this evening, rumors of which players Pistons GM Troy Weaver will look to sign have made their way around social media.

Potential targets of the Pistons this free agency period include centers Nerlens Noel and Kelly Olynyk. With Isaiah Stewart and Jahlil Okafor as the only big men on Detroit’s roster who have NBA experience, it makes sense for the team to add another center for roster depth.

One of the bigger names the Pistons are rumored to have an interest in signing is shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

Will the Detroit Pistons go big with their cap space?

Weaver and the Pistons front office opened up cap flexibility for this year’s free agency period after they traded Mason Plumlee to the Charlotte Hornets and released Cory
Joseph, Tyler Cook, and Deividas Sirvydas.

The Pistons do have added cap space to make some signings this offseason, but with Blake Griffin’s contract still on the books for next season, that cap space is limited.

Hardaway played very well for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2020-21 season. The former Michigan Wolverine scored 16.6 points per game while playing in 28.4 minutes per game coming off the bench for Dallas.

The 6-5 guard is looking to garner a contract that would average him over $20 million per season this offseason. If Detroit is able to pull Hardaway Jr. away from the Mavericks, they would have to pay him handsomely. That contract would also come at the risk of signing other players as depth.

Despite the large price to bring the shooting guard onto the roster, he would immediately elevate the Pistons offense as they pursue contention in the coming years.