Tim Hardaway Jr. Signed With Miami Heat

The 34-year-old veteran joined his hometown team on a one-year deal worth $6.5 million this past summer.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive sports illustration of a basketball player in a red and black uniform shooting a basketball in mid-air. — Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Miami Heat in summer 2026, returning to his hometown team. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe returning to your hometown for your career leads to higher personal satisfaction?

Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Miami Heat in summer 2026. The 34-year-old guard returns to his hometown after spending the previous 13 seasons playing for other NBA franchises.

Why it matters

Hardaway Jr. sought a return to his roots to play for the same organization where his father, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Tim Hardaway Sr., starred during the 1990s. He is expected to bolster the team roster in a bench role.

Hardaway Jr. averaged 13.5 points per game last season while shooting 44.7% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range. He placed 3rd in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting during his prior campaign.

The players

Tim Hardaway Jr.

He is a veteran NBA guard who previously played for five different teams before joining the Miami Heat.

Tim Hardaway Sr.

He is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member who played for the Miami Heat during the 1990s.

Miami Heat

This is a professional NBA franchise based at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

The details

A graduate of Palmetto High School, Hardaway Jr. previously played for the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, and Denver Nuggets. In his first two preseason games with the Heat, he recorded 5 of 9 shooting from three-point range.

1990s: Tim Hardaway Sr. played for the Miami Heat.
2022: Tim Hardaway Sr. was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Summer 2026: Tim Hardaway Jr. signed with the Miami Heat.
October 2026: Hardaway Jr. played in preseason games for the Heat.

Season Trajectory

Hardaway Jr.'s integration into the bench rotation shifts the Miami Heat's second-unit scoring dynamic for the 2026 season. His veteran presence adds depth to a roster looking to solidify its playoff positioning within the Eastern Conference.

Hardaway Jr. provides an immediate three-point shooting threat for the Heat's second unit, evidenced by his recent 5-of-9 preseason shooting performance. His arrival significantly impacts the bench rotation and provides a proven floor-spacer for the team's offensive sets.

The takeaway

The addition of a veteran scorer like Hardaway Jr. offers a strategic boost for teams looking to deepen their bench for a playoff push. Fans can expect him to maintain his role as a perimeter specialist as the regular season gets underway.