The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz trade deadline 2019: Five potential shooting guard targets

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 30, 2017 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 30, 2017 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks celebrates his shot in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks celebrates his shot in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Tim Hardaway Jr.

DISCLAIMER – I began writing about Tim Hardaway Jr. being a nice option for the Jazz while he was still a member of the New York Knicks, so though his availability just went way down, there’s still a lot I like about his fit with the Jazz. It’s highly unlikely that he’ll be moved yet again now that he’s been sent to Dallas as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, but Dallas has never been a shy organization about making moves, so he still deserves some mentioning. After all, the Mavs may yet want to shuffle if they hope to open up contract flexibility or pursue other stars now or in the future.

Tim Hardaway Jr. is a name that’s been brought up a few times by fans as a potential Jazz trade target. While there are some downsides (more on that in a minute), the appeal isn’t hard to see. Hardaway is a capable scorer who was putting up 19.1 points per contest for the New York Knicks this season. He’s an able defender and, by all rights, a good teammate that just hasn’t been able to get in quite the right situation.

As a second scorer alongside Donovan Mitchell, the two could team up to be quite a dynamic duo. If Hardaway reaches his best case level which earned him the lucrative contract he’s currently on, he could be a sensation in Utah for years to come. On top of that, he excels defensively, which would also make him a nice potential fit for the Jazz. But unfortunately he comes with no small amount of downside either.

The first is his contract of $17 million-plus that goes through the 2020-21 season, assuming he exercises his player option. Paying that much would be worth it for the upper level of Hardaway’s potential, but so far he hasn’t come anywhere near that. That’s largely due to the next issue that he’s had in his career which is a lack of efficiency.

Despite his hefty scoring figures, this season he’s shooting just 38.8 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from deep. Those are discouraging numbers and particularly worrisome when considering Mitchell’s recent issues with efficiency.

Hardaway could do well in Utah’s system, especially without having to shoulder the load he had been formerly for the hapless Knicks, but that’s a pretty big gamble. I honestly really like Hardaway and wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him in a Jazz uniform under most circumstances. For the positive reasons I’ve mentioned, he could very well be on their radar. But with his shooting struggles and his enormous contract, the Jazz would likely be wise to look elsewhere for their second shooter.

Not only that, but it appears that with his move to Dallas, he’ll be far from available now. And could end up being an awesome fit on the new-look Dallas Mavericks, particularly once Porzingis is back healthy and the two can play alongside the amazing Luka Doncic.