Tim Hardaway Jr. Likely the Odd Man Out in Pistons’ Free Agency Plans
The Detroit Pistons are facing tough choices in free agency, particularly with three guards hitting the market: Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Of the trio, Hardaway appears the least likely to return.
This aligns with recent reports, including one from insider Jake Fischer, suggesting the Pistons are prioritizing re-signing Beasley and Schroder.
Beasley had a standout season, ranking second in the NBA in three-pointers made off the bench. He played a key role in spacing the floor for Cade Cunningham, contributed veteran leadership, and added energy to a rebuilding team.
Schroder also contributed significantly as a backup point guard. His ability to play both on and off the ball was valuable, especially with Jaden Ivey expected to take on more playmaking responsibilities with the second unit.
However, the Pistons may struggle to afford all three guards, particularly with other roster needs and two promising young wings in development. Hardaway, due to his contract expectations, may end up being the one they let walk.
Still, losing Hardaway wouldn’t be insignificant. While not flashy, he provided steady production, starting 77 games and hitting 36.8% of his nearly six three-point attempts per game. His consistency and availability stood out in a team that has often lacked both.
Though not known for his defense, Hardaway was a willing and communicative team defender, offering reliability on both ends of the floor. His floor-spacing presence is not easily replaced—especially by someone like Jaden Ivey, who, while promising, has yet to prove himself as a full-time floor-spacer over a full season.
Ultimately, while Detroit may wish to keep all three free-agent guards, financial and roster constraints mean they’ll likely have to make a difficult choice—one that could leave a significant void if Hardaway isn’t re-signed.
