Tim Hardaway Jr. sends farewell message to Dallas Mavericks after trade to Detroit

Before Tim Hardaway Jr. heads to Detroit following his trade from the Pistons, the veteran guard said his final goodbye to the Dallas Mavericks organization and fans on Saturday.

“The last 5 seasons will be forever etched in my memory. First of all I want to thank all my teammates, I love you all and we will always be brothers,” Hardaway Jr. wrote on Instagram. “To Dallas, THANK YOU for helping me become not only a better ball player, but also a better person!”

“The city and the organization welcomed my family and I with open arms, and even though things didn’t end the way I wanted, I am forever grateful. There will always be love. Thank you, God bless.”

The Mavericks announced full terms of the deal Saturday, which will see them acquire guard Quentin Grimes on Saturday.

In addition to Hardaway, Dallas sent three second-round picks to Detroit. Dallas included its 2025 pick via Toronto, a 2028 pick from Miami and another 2028 pick that will be the least favorable of those between Charlotte or the Los Angeles Clippers.

Hardaway came to Dallas from New York in the 2018-19 season as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade. He spent nearly six seasons in Dallas, averaging 15.2 points and shooting 37 percent from three-point range.

He spent most of last season as the Mavericks’ sixth backup, averaging 14.4 points in 79 games during the regular season. However, after the trades to acquire P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford before the trade deadline in February, Hardaway began to lose more minutes in the rotation.

Hardaway’s role diminished further during the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals. In the playoffs, he averaged 4.4 points in 12.7 minutes per game.

In addition to Grimes, the Mavericks also made moves this offseason to add guard Klay Thompson and forward Naji Marshall.

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