Mavericks' fastest path to a summer steal is trading underperforming flamethrower now

Once Kyrie Irving returns from his ACL, the Dallas Mavericks' backcourt will be even more crowded, making it problematic for Dallas to pay players like Brandon Williams.

He is playing his best basketball of the year recently, and the team may not be able to afford to re-sign him as he enters free agency this summer. Yet, one possible solution to keep Williams in Dallas might be trading Jaden Hardy as soon as they can.

It's a solution that could work for both sides, as Hardy clearly isn't in their long-term plans anymore. Remember, Hardy signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension in 2024, meaning he is locked in for at least the next two seasons (there is a team option on his contract after next season). So, trading him would help the team move on from his contract and an inconsistent player.

Trading Hardy will give Dallas their best shot at re-signing Williams

Plus, Mavs fans have been wanting Dallas to trade Hardy for a while now. They believe his lack of production and back-seat role to upcoming players like Williams and Ryan Nembhard should be enough of a reason to trade him. So, it's obvious fans would be disappointed if Hardy isn't traded by the deadline, as he never reached his true potential in Dallas and isn't even part of Jason Kidd's rotation.

However, one player who has excelled during his time in Dallas is Brandon Williams. The fourth-year guard excelled last season, as he made the most of his opportunity when Irving went down and turned into one of the Mavericks' best players off the bench.

Williams became an instant fan-favorite after Irving's injury. Back in March, when Irving went down, Williams took a big jump. He averaged 16.6 points per game while shooting 54.1 percent from the field, and it was clear that Williams was a star waiting in the shadows. The Mavs' guard scored a season-high 31 points on March 7 against the Memphis Grizzlies, making it obvious that he should be part of the team's future.

His undeniable breakout also allowed him to start in three games for Dallas last season, showing great promise through his high energy and top-notch motor. His ability to drive to the basket and create his own shot forced Kidd to give him more playing time. Not to mention, it earned him a standard two-year contract, making him eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season.

This is why Dallas must start thinking of ways to sign him to a larger contract this summer. His increased production and high level of play could make things expensive in the summer. Basically, Williams could demand more money than the minimum deal that he is on right now, as he has done everything the team has asked of him.

So, why not trade Hardy now, before it's too late? Paying Hardy a hefty $6 million annually while also trying to give Williams a new deal is risky business, and trading Hardy would allow them to feel much better about re-signing Williams.

Hardy has shown that his time in Dallas is probably coming to an end, as his extension has been problematic. For example, last month, Hardy played in just six games for the Mavs and fell out of the rotation for the most part. So, it's clear he has already lost Kidd's trust this season.

Not to mention, he didn't play in Dallas' most recent victory against the Houston Rockets. Hardy is in Kidd's dog house, and it doesn't look like he'll be getting out any time soon. Especially with Kyrie Irving's return on the horizon.

Hardy's slow December is a big difference from November, when he played in 13 games. However, Hardy's inconsistent play and inability to take a major leap in his development have always been a problem. He hasn't improved much since his breakout rookie season, and it's something the Mavericks might not overcome.

Signing Williams for the long run seems like the best solution for Dallas to shore up their backcourt. It gives them two steady guards for the future to learn behind Irving, assuming Nembhard is signed to a standard contract later this year.

So, the team has an obvious solution to their future dilemma with Williams in free agency. It's time for them to jump the gun and trade Hardy, therefore leaving Williams' role and future in Dallas much more certain than before.