The NBA announced on Sunday that Tim Hardaway Jr. is a finalist for the Kia Sixth Man of the Year award, a selection that strongly reaffirms the Denver Nuggets’ calculated decision to sign him last summer. What made that move possible? The trade of Michael Porter Jr. that created roughly $17 million in cap space, giving Denver’s front office the flexibility to round out the roster with veteran depth.
Hardaway delivered in a big way during the regular season, averaging 13.5 points on 44.7% shooting from the field and a career-best 40.7% from three-point range in 26.6 minutes per game across 80 contests. It marked the first time in his decade-plus NBA career that he has shot above 40% from beyond the arc. At just $2.3 million, his contract already looked like a bargain; earning finalist honors makes it an absolute steal. And regardless of whether he ultimately wins the award, Hardaway has the opportunity to further validate Denver’s investment with strong performances throughout the playoffs.
The 2025-26 finalists for Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year are Tim Hardaway Jr., Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Keldon Johnson.
Following back-to-back semifinal exits, Denver’s front office made adding depth a clear priority. After the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Nuggets, Nikola Jokić himself highlighted the importance of long benches for contending playoff teams. Many fans and observers doubted Denver could move Porter’s sizable contract, but the team executed a deal with the Brooklyn Nets that included surrendering a first-round pick. It was mutually beneficial at the time: Brooklyn had the cap space, while Denver gained financial breathing room.
Early in the season, the Nets appeared to have the better end of the deal as Cam Johnson struggled and dealt with injuries, allowing Porter to thrive as a primary option. The tide has since turned, with Johnson returning to form and looking like the player Denver had hoped to acquire in the first place. Yet what skeptics initially overlooked were the additional pieces Denver acquired by parting ways with Porter—most notably the ability to bring in a proven shooter like Hardaway.
Even before he stepped on the floor for the Nuggets, it was clear Hardaway would thrive in an environment with elite playmakers and spacing around Nikola Jokić. He not only met expectations but exceeded them, appearing in all but two regular-season games on a team plagued by injuries. One of Hardaway’s greatest strengths is his fearlessness as a shooter. His 6.9 three-point attempts per game ranked second on the team behind only Jamal Murray’s 7.5. That willingness to let it fly was a welcome addition for a Nuggets squad that, the previous season, attempted a league-low 31.9 threes per game and ranked near the bottom in makes.
Now, at age 34, Hardaway is enjoying a career year and making a tangible impact on a top team in the Western Conference. His ability to stretch the floor, knock down open shots, and provide instant offense off the bench has given Denver exactly the kind of versatile depth they sought after last year’s postseason exit.
The Nuggets’ front office took a calculated risk by moving Porter to unlock cap flexibility. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s production—and now his recognition as a Sixth Man finalist—has turned that gamble into a clear win. As the playoffs unfold, Denver will look for more big performances from their veteran sharpshooter, while the rest of the league takes notes on how smart roster construction and veteran minimum deals can still swing the balance for contenders.