Career Timeline of Tim Hardaway Jr.: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Tim Hardaway Jr., from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Tim Hardaway Jr. is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. He played college basketball at the University of Michigan, leaving after his junior year to enter the NBA draft where he was drafted 24th overall by the New York Knicks. He has played for the Knicks (twice), Atlanta Hawks, and Dallas Mavericks. He is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: Father drafted in first round

In the 2013 NBA draft, Tim Hardaway Jr. joined his father (14th in 1989 NBA draft) as a first round selection.

1994: First Michigan duo selected

In the NBA draft 2013, Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway became the first Michigan duo selected in the first round since 1994 NBA draft.

March 5, 1996: McCloud 6 games, Feb 25

Tim Hardaway Jr. became the 10th NBA player (2nd Maverick, McCloud 6 games, Feb 25 – March 5, 1996) to post five-plus three-point shots in at least five consecutive games.

2010: Freshman During NCAA season

During the 2010-11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Tim Hardaway Jr. earned four Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week awards.

2010: Began college basketball career

In 2010, Tim Hardaway Jr. began his college basketball career in the starting lineup for the Michigan Wolverines against South Carolina Upstate. He led the team in scoring with 19 points, but soon after went into a shooting slump.

July 10, 2011: Competed as Team USA

From June 30 to July 10, 2011 Tim Hardaway competed as part of Team USA in the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championships in Latvia.

2011: Earned All-Big Ten honors

In 2011, Tim Hardaway Jr. earned honorable mention All-Big Ten selection and unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman team selection, establishing a Michigan freshman record for single-season three-point shots made. He was also a Collegeinsider.com Freshmen All-America selection and participated in the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.

2011: Represented Team USA

In 2011, Tim Hardaway Jr. represented Team USA at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship, leading the team with 21 points in the 5th place game.

2012: Played college basketball

In 2012 Tim Hardaway Jr. played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines.

2012: Earned All-Big Ten recognition

In 2012, Tim Hardaway Jr. earned 2011–12 All-Big Ten 3rd team recognition.

2013: Selected as the 24th overall pick in the NBA draft

In 2013, Tim Hardaway Jr. declared for the NBA draft after his junior season and was selected as the 24th overall pick by the New York Knicks.

2013: Signed with the Knicks

In 2013, Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a four-year, $6.1 million contract with the New York Knicks, which allowed him to participate in the 2013 NBA Summer League.

2013: Regular Season Debut

On October 30, 2013, Tim Hardaway Jr. made his regular season debut for the Knicks against Milwaukee, scoring 5 points and providing 2 assists in 15 minutes.

July 18, 2014: Named to USA Basketball National Select Team

On July 18, 2014, Tim Hardaway Jr. was named to practice with the USA Basketball National Select Team from July 28 to 31.

2014: NBA Summer League

In 2014, Tim Hardaway Jr. played in the NBA Summer League, averaging 22.8 points per game, earning NBA All-Summer League second team recognition.

2014: Rising Stars Challenge and Career High

In 2014, Tim Hardaway Jr. was named a Rising Stars Challenge participant and achieved a career-high of 29 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 30. He also finished fifth in NBA Rookie of the Year Award balloting and was selected for the NBA All-Rookie Team.

January 24, 2015: Season-High Performance

On January 24, 2015, Tim Hardaway Jr. recorded a season-high 25 points, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, in a game against the Charlotte Hornets.

June 25, 2015: Traded to the Atlanta Hawks

On June 25, 2015, Tim Hardaway Jr. was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the draft rights to Jerian Grant.

December 3, 2015: Assignment to Canton Charge

On December 3, 2015, Tim Hardaway Jr. was assigned to the Canton Charge, the D-League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers, by the Atlanta Hawks.

January 3, 2016: Recalled by the Hawks

On January 3, 2016, Tim Hardaway Jr. was recalled by the Atlanta Hawks from the Austin Spurs.

March 17, 2016: First Start for Atlanta

On March 17, 2016, Tim Hardaway Jr. made his first start for Atlanta against the Denver Nuggets, achieving a season-high 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

October 27, 2016: Season Opener Performance

On October 27, 2016, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 21 points off the bench in the Hawks' season opener against the Washington Wizards.

2016: Hawks extended qualifying offer

Following the 2016–17 season, the Hawks extended Hardaway a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent.

January 1, 2017: Career High (Tied) Against Spurs

On January 1, 2017, Tim Hardaway Jr. matched his career high with 29 points, including a tying three-pointer and the go-ahead free throw, in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

July 6, 2017: Offer Sheet from the Knicks

On July 6, 2017, Tim Hardaway Jr. received a four-year, $71 million offer sheet from the Knicks.

October 17, 2018: Season Opener Performance

On October 17, 2018, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 31 points in the Knicks' season opener against the Atlanta Hawks.

January 31, 2019: Traded to the Dallas Mavericks

On January 31, 2019, Tim Hardaway Jr. was traded to the Dallas Mavericks along with Trey Burke, Courtney Lee, and Kristaps Porziņģis.

November 20, 2019: Inserted into Starting Lineup

On November 20, 2019, Tim Hardaway Jr. was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time that season, scoring 20 points against the Golden State Warriors.

December 8, 2019: Career-High Three-Pointers

On December 8, 2019, Tim Hardaway Jr. made a career-high 9 three-pointers in a game against the Sacramento Kings.

November 19, 2020: Exercised Contractual Option

On November 19, 2020, Tim Hardaway Jr. exercised his contractual option to remain with the Dallas Mavericks.

April 30, 2021: Career-High Points

On April 30, 2021, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a career-high 42 points against the Detroit Pistons.

May 4, 2021: Tied Records for Three-Point Shots

On May 4, 2021, Tim Hardaway Jr. tied the Dallas Maverick single-game three-point shots made franchise record and the FTX Arena NBA record for three-point shots made with 10.

August 9, 2021: Re-signed with the Mavericks

On August 9, 2021, Tim Hardaway Jr. re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks.

December 6, 2022: Teammates with 4+ Three-Point Shots

From November 29 to December 6, 2022, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Luka Dončić became the first pair of teammates in league history to each hit four-plus three-point shots in the same streak of five games.

December 18, 2023: Passed Father on All-Time List

On December 18, 2023, Tim Hardaway Jr. made two three-point shots to pass his father for 44th place on the NBA all-time list.

July 6, 2024: Traded to Detroit Pistons

On July 6, 2024, Tim Hardaway Jr. was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Quentin Grimes.

2024: NBA Finals Appearance and Record

In 2024, Tim Hardaway Jr. reached the NBA Finals where the Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in five games. In game 4, Hardaway established a Mavericks franchise record for most 3-point shots made in an NBA Finals game with 5. All of his shots were in the fourth quarter, tying him with Ray Allen and Kenny Smith in second place behind Steph Curry for most in a single quarter in NBA finals history.