INDIANAPOLIS, March 27 (UPI) -- The Indiana Pacers added some insurance in their backcourt Thursday by signing five-time All-Star Tim Hardaway to a contract for the remainder of the season.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Hardaway last played in the 2001-02 season with the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets, but brings 13 years of NBA experience to a team that was looking for help at point guard.
Jamaal Tinsley missed Wednesday's game against Philadelphia because of the death of his mother, and the Pacers also have used Erick Strickland and Ron Mercer at the position.
"Tim is a solid veteran who can provide us some insurance at point guard if needed," said Indiana President Donnie Walsh.
The Pacers are fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 41-30 record, but have lost 15 of their last 19 games. Hardaway would eligible for the playoffs because he has not played for another team this season.
"I'm happy to be back in the league with a team that feels I can help them out with veteran leadership going into the playoffs," said Hardaway, 36, who prior to signing with the Pacers served as an analyst for ESPN.
Hardaway amassed 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than any player in NBA history except for Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. He has career averages of 17.9 points and 8.3 assists in 857 games with Golden State, Miami, Dallas, and Denver.
To make room for Hardaway, the Pacers placed center Primoz Brezec placed on the injured list with a sprained right ankle. Brezec had appeared in 22 games, averaging 1.9 points and 1.0 rebound per game.
