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Hardaway Jr. returns home, inks $6.5 M Heat deal

7/3/2026

Summary

Hardaway Jr. Returns

Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Miami Heat, returning home.
Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. said his retired No. 10 jersey stays in the Kaseya Center rafters.
Hardaway Jr. left the Denver Nuggets after averaging 13.5 points and shooting 40.7% from three.
He hopes to build his own legacy in South Beach and help the Heat win a championship.

Summary

Hardaway Jr. Signs

The Miami Heat used part of their mid-level salary-cap exception to sign Hardaway Jr.
Miami signed Hardaway Jr. to a one-year deal, adding a veteran perimeter scorer to preserve its core and signaling he is a role contributor, unlike many Eastern clubs that pursued blockbuster trades.
The Heat’s locker room displays retired jerseys of Dwyane Wade (#3), Alonzo Mourning (#33) and Shaquille O’Neal (#32), reflecting institutional memory.

Summary

Hardaway Jr. dons

Tim Hardaway Jr. will wear No. 11 for the Heat because No. 10 is retired.
The Heat retired No. 10 in October 2009 to honor Tim Hardaway Sr., a three-time All-NBA (1997-99) selection.
No. 10 is also retired by the Knicks for Walt Frazier and the Pistons for Dennis Rodman.
In 2025-26 Hardaway Jr. averaged 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.5 steals while shooting 40.7% from three, earning praise for his playoff pedigree for a cap-constrained Heat.

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Hardaway Jr. Returns

Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Miami Heat, returning home.
Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. said his retired No. 10 jersey stays in the Kaseya Center rafters.
Hardaway Jr. left the Denver Nuggets after averaging 13.5 points and shooting 40.7% from three.
He hopes to build his own legacy in South Beach and help the Heat win a championship.

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