The Atlanta Hawks will not match Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s four-year, $71 million offer sheet from the New York Knicks, according to a report by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Knicks used the circle of life to their advantage, as general manager Steve Mills put the necessary clauses in Hardaway's offer sheet to complicate matters for the Hawks, who had to go through many decisions before reportedly choosing to let him walk.

Hardaway's contract includes a 15 percent trade kicker, meaning the Knicks will be forced to pay an extra 15 percent of any remaining salary on his deal, making that the poison pill and absolute deal-breaker for Atlanta.

The $71 million raised eyebrows across the league, given that Hardaway is a good shooter, but by no means a marksman — questioning just how much money a role player can make in this day and age.

“No I can’t,” an agent replied when Bleacher Report asked if he could believe the numbers on this particular deal. “But then again, it’s the Knicks.”

“They're nuts,” wrote another agent. “Their two moves are re-signing Ron Baker and crazy overpay here.”

Hardaway's beefy contract offer comes after a revelation of a fourth year in the league, averaging a career-high 14.5 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting from the floor and 35.7 percent from deep.

Despite his previous two-year stint with New York to start his NBA career, his father, Tim Hardaway Sr., assured his son doesn't have any ill feelings toward the organization, given that the one responsible for his exit — former president Phil Jackson — isn't a part of the franchise any longer.

This is the first “major” signing by the Knicks in what has been a tumultuous offseason with the firing of Jackson, an impending search for a president of basketball operations, and trading away the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah.

The Knicks will be dedicating roughly 18 percent of their total cap room to a 25-year-old Michigan standout.