Dallas Mavericks Shooting Guard Jaden Hardy has sixth-man dreams. Hardy, 22, recently signed a new three-year, $18 million contract with the Mavericks. Hardy reportedly hopes that his postseason experience from last year’s playoff run will help him, as he had a rotation role during the Mavericks’ rather unexpected run to the NBA Finals. In addition, Hardy’s journey to potentially become a sixth man can be achieved with encouragement from Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd, who’s known to give advice, encouragement, etc. Read on for further details.
Jaden Hardy’s New Goal
Just one day after signing a new three-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks, Jaden Hardy announced his new goal due to his salary increase, per Mavs.com. Hardy’s previous rookie contract was worth three years and around $4,757,344 from 2022 through 2025.
After the Mavericks’ final workout before the regular season opener, Hardy told the media, “Being in this position to get to my second contract, not a lot of players (are able to) do that … But I’m not going to let this contract define me. I’ll keep working and keep staying humble.”
Hardy elaborated, “This is where I want to be ultimately. But it is a business. This extension, now that I know (I’m going to) be here, my main focus is winning a championship this year. And my (individual) goal is to win sixth man. That’s my goal.”
Hardy Can Achieve New Goal
Becoming a sixth man is often a far-fetched goal for a player who recently outgrew a rookie contract, but it’s doable. Jaden Hardy opened the regular season uncertain if he’ll be the first player off the Dallas Mavericks bench, as the Mavericks have plenty of depth, particularly at guard.
Hardy, Point Guard Spencer Dinwiddie, and Shooting Guard Quentin Grimes back up Point Guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. In addition, Shooting Guard Klay Thompson spends plenty of time at guard. Kidd told the media, “Everybody that comes off the bench is a sixth man … We’ll see how that goes with the different combinations we’ll look at early on. He’ll have the opportunity to play with Kai (Kyrie Irving) and Luka (Doncic). So we’ll see.”
But, regardless of when or how much Hardy will play in the regular season, Kidd, 51, was reportedly happy to see Hardy get a new contract with the Mavericks. Kidd described Hardy’s new contract as “well-deserved” and added that it shows “another case of patience” after Hardy put in the work.
Hardy Posts New Stat Line
Jaden Hardy recently posted a new stat line after Thursday’s regular-season opener between the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. Hardy was one of the Mavericks’ top scorers, as he posted 11 points, two assists, and one rebound in 20 minutes.
Jaden Hardy’s recent stat line was a good, if not great, start to the young season. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Hardy is familiar with former Guard Vinnie Johnson, also known as “the Microwave” due to his ability to score quickly off the bench, who was a prominent sixth man during the Detroit Pistons’ back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.
Jaden Hardy’s new contract should help him earn a bigger role in the Mavericks’ playing time pie. Hardy told Mavs.com, “It allows me to play more freely, for sure … Coach wants me to stay hungry and keep doing what I’m doing. And I feel like that (playoffs) helped me for experience. It’s somewhere I want to be back.”
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