This past season Hardaway averaged career highs in points, rebounds, minutes, assists, field goal attempts, and field goal percentage. He really got a great opportunity with the Hawks and he made the most of it. Offensively, Hardaway can score. He had 23 games where he scored more than 20 points according to Basketball Reference including a 36 point game against Cleveland and a 33 point game against Houston. He also shot well from deep shooting 35% from three. He does not take a great deal of mid range shots and he finishes well near the rim. According to Basketball Reference, 45% of Hardaway's field goal attempts were three point shots.
In terms of playtype stats, Hardaway rates out very well as a cutter and as a spot up player. Cuts only made up 5% of his offensive possessions, but he rated in the 88th percentile. In spot ups, Hardaway rated in the 85th percentile and spots up made up 24% of his offensive possessions. Although Hardaway is not a great three point shooter, he shows decisiveness when he gets the ball and he is quick to drive, shoot, or continue moving the ball. Hardaway's other highest offensive possession numbers came via transition opportunities and as a pick and roll ball handler. Hardaway rates out as one of the better transition players in the league and he will get a chance to run more with the Knicks. Hornacek during his time in Phoenix had teams that were in the top 10 in pace, but due to personnel the Knicks were at 17th. Something tells me that with Phil Jackson now gone, the Knicks will get out and run more, which suits Hardaway. As a pick and roll player Hardaway did not do it very often and when he did he was not that effective. He moves the ball and can make the pass that he needs, but he is not an elite pick and roll player.
The initial reaction to the Hardaway signing was bad. However, thinking about the type of player that Hardaway could be, it is not crazy to me to pay him that much. I went into some detail about his offensive capabilities, but Hardaway is a good defender that plays hard on defense. He is a two way wing that is a solid rotation player for any team. With Carmelo Anthony now gone, the Knicks are going to need wing scoring and Hardaway could surprise with the season that he could have. I do not think it would be crazy to see him average 20 points per game. He only shot 11.5 attempts per game and it is not crazy to think that if he gets 15 shots per game that he could up his scoring average by five points. The bottom line is that he will get an opportunity with the Knicks and I think he will make the most of it.