Veteran Sharpshooter Inks Deal with the Denver Nuggets
During the 2025 offseason, veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr. was set to enter unrestricted free agency after wrapping up his 12th NBA season with the Detroit Pistons. At 33 years old, Hardaway Jr. proved he still has plenty left in the tank, playing a key role in Detroit’s resurgence as a playoff team. His veteran presence, combined with consistent perimeter shooting, helped stabilize one of the youngest rosters in the league and guide the Pistons to their first postseason appearance since 2019. Today, it was just reported he signed with the Denver Nuggets on a one-year deal.
Hardaway Jr. was originally selected 24th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Throughout his career, he has suited up for the Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and most recently, the Pistons. In July 2024, he was traded from Dallas to Detroit in a deal that sent Quentin Grimes and three second-round picks to the Mavericks. The move was seen as a win-now acquisition for the Pistons, aimed at injecting much-needed shooting and experience into their rotation.
In the 2024–25 regular season, Hardaway Jr. appeared in 77 games, averaging 11 points, about two rebounds, and over one assist per game, while shooting 40.6% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. His ability to space the floor opened up driving lanes for Detroit’s young guards, while his composure and professionalism set an example for the locker room. His leadership extended into the postseason, where he delivered one of his most memorable playoff moments in Game Three in the series against his former team, the New York Knicks. In that game, he caught fire from deep, knocking down seven three-pointers, tying a franchise playoff record, and hitting his first six attempts.
Though Detroit's playoff run ended in the first round, Hardaway Jr.'s performance reminded teams across the league of his value as a reliable scorer and experienced playoff contributor. Now an unrestricted free agent, he entered the market as a coveted role player capable of helping a contender or guiding a young team. The Nuggets will add a respected veteran with a long track record of high-level shooting and playoff poise.
