1. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks
Hardaway should be looked at as the big red button the front office needs to press if Trent ends up leaving. Hardaway proved in Dallas that he can be a quality tertiary gunner, and that skillset could potentially play well in Toronto if they decide to make a big enough financial commitment to him.
The Mavericks losing to the Clippers in the playoffs could prompt that front office to potentially go big in free agency to add a third star to the mix alongside Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. That could exclude the Mavericks from retaining Hardaway, and Toronto could stand to benefit from that.
Tim Hardaway Jr. would be an expensive, yet skilled, piece for the Raptors.
Hardaway isn’t going to show up on any All-Defensive teams anytime soon, but he is comfortable as both a starter and reserve with experience at both guard spots and even small forward during his time in Dallas. Versatility is huge for Nurse, and Hardaway provides that with plenty of scoring juice.
Because players with his history of offensive production don’t hit free agency all the time, the Raptors might need to some painful decisions financially in order to make sure he can be obtained. If he is brought in, the 29-year-old Hardaway can challenge for 20 points per game under one of the best offensive coaches in basketball.