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 a professional basketball player currently with the Denver Nuggets. He played college basketball at Michigan, contributing to their national runner-up season in 2012-13. Drafted 24th overall by the New York Knicks in 2013, he's had multiple stints with the Knicks and has also played for the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Detroit Pistons. He is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway. Hardaway Jr. holds three-point shooting records for the Mavericks and a single-game playoff three-point record for the Pistons.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: First Round Selection

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

1994: Michigan Duo Selected in First Round

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

December 6, 1996: Victory Over Duke

On December 6, 1996, Michigan defeated Duke, marking the first time Michigan defeated a top-10 team on the road since then.

December 23, 2010: Team Record and First 20-Point Game

On December 23, 2010, Tim Hardaway Jr. had his first 20-point game as the team tied its December 13, 2008, single-game school record of 16 three-point field goals made against Bryant University.

2010: Conference Schedule Performance

During the 2010-11 Big Ten Conference season, Tim Hardaway Jr. led the team in scoring, steals, free throw percentage, three-point shooting percentage, and three-point shots made per game.

2010: Freshman of the Week Awards

During the 2010-11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Tim Hardaway Jr. earned four Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week awards. He helped the 2010–11 team climb up to fourth in the 2010–11 Big Ten Conference men's basketball season standings.

2010: Starting Lineup and Shooting Slump

In 2010, Tim Hardaway Jr. joined the Michigan Wolverines and began his season in the starting lineup. Despite leading the team in scoring in his first game, he experienced a shooting slump in late November.

2010: All-City Selection and Senior Season

In 2010, Tim Hardaway Jr. was a first team All-City selection and during his 2009–10 senior season, he averaged 31.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists at Miami Palmetto High School.

July 10, 2011: Selection for Team USA

Tim Hardaway Jr. was selected to the 12-man FIBA Under-19 World Championship team by USA Basketball, and on July 10, 2011, they competed as Team USA in Latvia.

2011: All-Big Ten Selection

Following the Big Ten Conference season in 2011, Tim Hardaway Jr. was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection and a unanimous All-Freshman team selection. He was also a Collegeinsider.com Freshmen All-America selection.

2011: FIBA Under-19 World Championship

In 2011, Hardaway represented Team USA at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship, including a team-high 21 points in the 5th place game against Australia.

2011: All-Big Ten and Team USA Selection

In 2011, Tim Hardaway Jr. was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, a unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman team selection, and a Collegeinsider.com Freshmen All-America selection. He also participated as a member of Team USA in the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.

2011: Michigan Freshman Record

In the semi-finals of the 2011 Big Ten tournament against Ohio State, Tim Hardaway Jr. set the Michigan freshman single-season three-point shots made record of 74.

January 8, 2012: Second Career Double-Double

On January 8, 2012, Tim Hardaway Jr. recorded his second career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds against 19th-ranked Wisconsin.

2012: Michigan Wolverines season

In 2012, Tim Hardaway Jr. played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines and declared for the NBA draft after his junior season for the national runner-up 2012–13 team.

2013: NCAA Tournament

In 2013, Tim Hardaway Jr. and the Michigan Wolverines reached the NCAA Tournament final, losing to Louisville. Hardaway had a new NCAA tournament career-high with 21 points against South Dakota State.

2013: NBA Draft and National Runner-Up

In 2013, Tim Hardaway Jr. declared for the NBA draft after his junior season with the Michigan Wolverines, who were the national runner-up. He was subsequently selected as the 24th overall pick by the New York Knicks.

2013: Knicks signed Hardaway

In 2013, the Knicks announced that Hardaway signed a four-year, $6.1 million contract, paving the way for him to participate in the 2013 NBA Summer League.

2013: NBA Regular Season Debut

On October 30, 2013, Hardaway made his regular season debut for the Knicks against Milwaukee, scoring 5 points with 2 assists in 15 minutes. On October 31, 2013, he played against the Chicago Bulls, totaling 10 points and 3 rebounds in 27 minutes.

July 18, 2014: Practice with USA Basketball

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

2014: NBA Summer League

In 2014, Hardaway represented the Knicks in the NBA Summer League, averaging 22.8 points per game in five games and earning NBA All-Summer League second team recognition.

January 24, 2015: Season-High Performance

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

June 25, 2015: Traded to the Atlanta Hawks

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

December 3, 2015: Assigned to Canton Charge

On December 3, 2015, the Hawks assigned Hardaway to the Canton Charge, their D-League affiliate. He was recalled by the Hawks three days later.

January 3, 2016: Recalled by Hawks

On January 3, 2016, Hardaway was recalled by the Hawks. Two days later, he played in his first game for the Hawks since November 28, scoring three points in 12 minutes.

March 17, 2016: First Start for Atlanta

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

October 27, 2016: Season Opener Performance

On October 27, 2016, in the Hawks' season opener, Hardaway scored 21 points off the bench in a 114–99 win over the Washington Wizards.

2016: Qualifying Offer Extended

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

January 1, 2017: Career High Tying Points

On January 1, 2017, Hardaway matched his career high with 29 points, to help the Hawks defeat the San Antonio Spurs 114–112.

July 6, 2017: Offer Sheet from Knicks

On July 6, 2017, Hardaway received a four-year, $71 million offer sheet from the Knicks, and the Hawks declined to match the offer, leading Hardaway to sign with the Knicks.

October 17, 2018: Knicks Season Opener

On October 17, 2018, in the Knicks' season opener, Hardaway scored 31 points in a 126–107 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

January 31, 2019: Traded to the Mavericks

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

November 20, 2019: Starting Lineup Insertion

On November 20, 2019, Hardaway 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, Hardaway made a career-high 9 three-pointers in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.

November 19, 2020: Exercised Contractual Option

On November 19, 2020, Hardaway exercised his contractual option to remain with the Mavericks after the 2019–20 season.

April 30, 2021: Career-High Points

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

May 4, 2021: Tied Three-Point Records

On May 4, 2021, Hardaway tied George McCloud and Wesley Matthews for the Dallas Maverick single-game three-point shots made franchise record with 10. He also tied Duncan Robinson, Paul George and J.R. Smith for the FTX Arena NBA record for three-point shots made.

August 9, 2021: Re-signed with Mavericks

On August 9, 2021, Hardaway re-signed with the Mavericks on a 4-year, $75 million contract.

December 18, 2023: Passing his father on the all-time list

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

July 6, 2024: Traded to Detroit Pistons

On July 6, 2024, Hardaway was traded alongside three future second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Quentin Grimes.

2024: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2024, Hardaway reached the NBA Finals with the Mavericks, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games. In game 4 of the series 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.

July 10, 2025: Signed with Denver Nuggets

On July 10, 2025, Hardaway signed a one-year, minimum salary contract with the Denver Nuggets.

2025: NBA Playoffs loss to New York

In a 2025 NBA playoffs opening round game 3 118–116 loss to New York, Hardaway set a career playoff best with 7 three-point shots made. Hardaway attempted a three point shot just before the final buzzer of game 4. He missed the shot resulting in a one-point loss and a 3–1 series lead for New York.