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Why Tim Hardaway Jr. and Duncan Robinson are set to cash in

By Alex Hinton

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks shot is defended by Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on February 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks shot is defended by Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on February 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Tim Hardaway Jr. and Duncan Robinson, two former Michigan basketball players are about to cash in with NBA teams this summer. 

3-point shooting is en vogue more than ever before in the NBA and a pair of former Michigan basketball plays could parlay that into big contracts this summer. G/F Tim Hardaway Jr. (unrestricted) and G/F Duncan Robinson (restricted) are both set to become free agents this offseason. Hardaway is on the last year of a 4 year $71 million deal.

This season, Hardaway averaged 16.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.8 APG with the Dallas Mavericks. Over the last two seasons with the Mavs, he has shot 39.4% from the 3-point line on 7.4 attempts per game.

During the Mavs playoff run, Hardaway has upped his three-point shooting even more. He is shooting 48.6% from the three-point line on 7.4 attempts per game. He has also chipped in 17 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 1.8 APG in support of star G Luka Doncic and knocked down some big shots. The underdog Mavs hold a 3-2 series in their first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Unfortunately for Robinson, the Heat were swept in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks following a run to the NBA Finals.

However, that does not negate Robinson’s ascension into being one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA. Over the last two seasons, Robinson has shot 42.7% from three on 8.4 attempts per game. In the 2019-2020 season, he set the Heat franchise record for 3-pointers made with 270.

The former Michigan basketball standout also became the fastest player to record 500 made threes, needing just 152 games in the process. Robinson is on the last year of a 3 year $3 million deal after entering the league as an undrafted free agent.

Just to show how much shooting is coveted in the NBA right now, here is a list of a few knockdown shooters who have become highly paid in the last few years according to Spotrac.com.

"SG Buddy Hield 4 years $94 millionSG Joe Harris 4 years $75 millionSG Bogdon Bogdanovic 4 years $72 millionSF Davis Bertans 5 years $80 millionSF Bojan Bogdanovic 4 years $73.1 million"

Add a fifth year to those deals and it is not out of the realm of possibilities that Hardaway Jr. and Robinson receive $100 million deals or at least close to it.

As for Robinson, NBA executives believe he will receive a deal in the range of $15-20 million annually, seemingly the going rate for elite shooters. As a restricted free agent, the Heat will be able to match any offer he receives if he is extended a qualifying offer.

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However, with the team already having stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo on max deals, I would say that it is likely that Robinson will be extending his NBA career elsewhere.

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