Tim Hardaway Jr. and Duncan Robinson sign huge contract extensions
By Alex Hinton
Two former Michigan basketball players cashed in on Monday night in NBA free agency and Duncan Robinson and Tim Hardaway Jr. signed huge deals.
The NBA free agency period is underway in earnest and that was great news for a pair of former Wolverines. We hinted that huge paydays were coming for Tim Hardaway Jr. and Duncan Robinson. Now that has now come to fruition.
Hardaway Jr. is staying in Dallas after agreeing to a four-year, $74 million deal.
Tim Hardaway Jr.'s four-year deal with the Mavericks is worth $74M, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Before re-signing, Hardaway Jr. was linked to the Detroit Pistons. That would have been great for Michigan basketball fans wanting to see him play every night as well as Isaiah Livers.
The Pistons also could have used a player with Hardaway’s shooting and microwave scoring ability. However, at this stage of his career, a playoff team like the Mavericks makes more sense for him. Hardaway Jr. averaged 16.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.8 APG. on 39.1% shooting from three last season. He will be an important piece for the Mavericks as they look to form a contender around Luka Doncic.
Meanwhile, Duncan Robinson will be staying with the Heat after agreeing to a 5 year, $90 million deal.
Duncan Robinson – host of the @TheLongshotPod – has agreed to a 5-year, $90M contract to stay with the Miami Heat, his agent Jason Glushon of @GlushonSM tells ESPN. The deal, largest ever for an undrafted player, also includes an ETO after the fourth year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Robinson averaged 13.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.8 APG, on 40.8% shooting from three last season. By now Michigan basketball fans know the story about Robinson but it is remarkable and bears repeating again.
Robinson did not have any Division 1 scholarship offers out of high school and attended Division III Williams College. After his freshman season, Robinson made the jump from Division III to the Big Ten, in transferring to Michigan. He was a valuable contributor to Michigan basketball, including being a key member of its 2018 Final Four team.
Robinson was doubted again when he began his professional career. He went undrafted and signed with the Heat’s summer league team following the 2018 NBA Draft. He worked his way through the summer league, the G-League, and onto Miami’s main roster.
Robinson has become one of the deadliest three-pointers in the NBA. Now, he has signed the largest contract for an undrafted player in NBA history.
Even though Robinson has earned his big pay, the journey doesn’t end there for him.
The Heat made the NBA Finals in 2020 and after getting swept in the first round in 2021, it has already been proactive in free agency.
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In addition to retaining Robinson, the Heat added Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker in free agency. Getting through the Nets and Bucks in the East will be difficult, but if the Heat can pull it off, perhaps Robinson can add a ring to his mantle as well.