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Heat Sign Hardaway Jr. to $6.5M Deal to Support Giannis

ESPN NBA •
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Free agent sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. has agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Miami Heat, giving the revamped roster elite three-point shooting alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. The move addresses Miami's need for perimeter scoring after their roster overhaul this offseason.

Hardaway brings proven bench production after a career year with Denver. He connected on 205 three-pointers off the bench last season, leading the NBA in that category by a wide margin. Despite playing just 26.6 minutes per game, he ranked tied for 10th in total threes made while shooting over 40% from deep for the first time in his 13-year career. His third-place finish in Sixth Man of the Year voting demonstrates his impact as a reserve scorer.

Before joining Denver, Hardaway started 77 games for the Detroit Pistons but found his niche as a spark plug off the bench. The Heat also retained two-way wing Andrew Wiggins earlier this offseason, showing their commitment to building depth around their new superstar core.

This signing transforms Miami's offensive spacing immediately. Hardaway's volume and efficiency from beyond the arc creates easier driving lanes for Antetokounmpo while providing veteran scoring punch in coach Erik Spoelstra's rotation.