Opinion: Why Jaden Hardy Doesn’t Have a Bigger Role In Dallas
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Despite agreeing to a three-year, $18 million rookie-scale contract extension, Dallas Mavericks Shooting Guard Jaden Hardy doesn’t have a bigger role in Dallas, Texas. Hardy, 22, previously signed a three-year, $4.7 million rookie contract that’s set to expire after the 2024-25 NBA season. Hardy’s contract extension features a trade restriction, so the Mavericks can’t trade Hardy until April 22, 2025.
So far this season, Hardy has averaged 3.6 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, while shooting 35.7% from the field goal line. And, in his NBA career, the now-22-year-old has averaged 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, while shooting 37.8% from the field goal line. What gives? Hardy is expected to play a key sixth-man role for the Mavericks this season.
Hardy’s role off the Mavericks’ bench includes scoring, playmaking, energy, and defense. The Coronado High School (Henderson, Nevada) alum doesn’t always get a desirable amount of playing time, but his efficient performances in important games, such as Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Western Conference Finals and Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, have indicated a bigger role for him in the coming months.
Jaden Hardy Signs Contract Extension
Jaden Hardy’s contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks consists of $18 million over three years. Simply put, Hardy would make $6 million each year thrice effective in the 2025-26 NBA season. $12 million of the contract extension is guaranteed, as Dallas could pick up Hardy’s club option during or after the 2027-28 NBA season and Hardy could become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the 2028-29 NBA season.
Hardy’s contract extension comes with a trade restriction, so the Detroit, Michigan, native cannot be traded until April 22, 2025, at the earliest. Hardy provided a spark off the Mavericks’ bench with 11 points in 13 minutes last Wednesday in the 119-99 blowout win over the Chicago Bulls at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Since then, Hardy made two in-game appearances, but totaled zero points in three minutes against the Phoenix Suns last Friday and two points in 19 minutes at the Denver Nuggets this past Sunday, respectively.
Upside To Jaden Hardy
Jaden Hardy might not receive a bigger role with the Dallas Mavericks anytime soon. Although Hardy isn’t a perfect Shooting Guard in the NBA, Hardy’s talents include shooting, dunking, off-the-dribble shot-making, pick-and-roll, wingspan, and active hands. Everything happens for a reason and the former second-round draft pick was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2021 class.
The Mavericks reportedly hope that Hardy can improve his decision-making and efficiency as a passer over time. The Mavericks’ wish could come true, as Hardy’s NBA debut in the 2023-24 campaign resulted in 22 points, two rebounds, and three assists in a 112-108 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Downside To Hardy
Jaden Hardy reportedly has sixth-man dreams but he can only dream so much. Hardy’s limitations include defense, mid-range game, finishing, and free throws. The 6-foot-3, 198-pound big man lacks in those four aspects of the game, which can be unsettling, even though Hardy is still young and seemingly figuring things out. The Mavericks might want to lean towards a player better suited to the Mavericks’ defense instead of just a younger player like Hardy, but at the end of the day, things are up to the team and not the thoughts of the reporters and fans.
