TITLE: Hardaway Jr. cites familiar voices in choosing Nuggets; Horford’s deal includes trade kicker, updates on Kuminga and Robert Williams
SLUG: hardaway-nuggets-horford-kuminga-williams
CONTENT:
Veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr. said the presence of former Mavericks colleagues J.J. Barea and Jared Dudley on Denver’s coaching staff was a decisive factor in his decision to sign with the Nuggets this summer, he told The Denver Post. Both assistants joined head coach David Adelman after working with Hardaway in Dallas between 2019 and 2023.
“They understand my style of play,” Hardaway said, noting that Dudley served as his assistant coach for three seasons. “They reiterate that to the rest of the coaching staff.”
Hardaway, 32, started 77 games for Detroit last season and has averaged at least 26.8 minutes per contest every year since 2015-16. After earning no less than $16 million annually since 2016-17, he agreed to a veteran-minimum contract in Denver and is expected to anchor the second unit. The 11-year pro said he hopes to model professionalism for younger teammates.
Nuggets role over salary
“Sulking and being upset is just an energy-drainer,” Hardaway said. “If they’re having rough days, my job is lifting them up—take them to dinner, get the team together.”
Horford contract specifics
Golden State’s two-year agreement with Al Horford is worth the full taxpayer mid-level exception, includes a player option for 2026-27, and features a 15% trade kicker, according to HoopsHype. The 38-year-old center will become trade-eligible on January 1, three months after officially signing.
Kuminga as an in-season trade chip
In an analysis for The Third Apron, Yossi Gozlan noted that moving Jonathan Kuminga during the season would be simpler than arranging a sign-and-trade because base-year compensation rules no longer apply. Although Golden State is hard-capped and must account for Kuminga’s trade kicker, the club could now complete a one-for-one swap—such as a hypothetical deal for Sacramento’s Malik Monk—by adding only draft assets.
Portland’s Robert Williams still limited
Trail Blazers center Robert Williams has not been cleared for contact but is participating in non-contact workouts, head coach Chauncey Billups told reporters Monday. Billups said the organization is “very happy” with the 26-year-old’s progress. Knee and hamstring issues have restricted Williams to 26 games since his arrival in Portland two years ago.
Source: Hoops Rumors
