Dallas Mavericks 2022 NBA Draft grades: 2 trades and select Jaden Hardy

Dallas Mavericks select Jaden Hardy with 37th overall pick in 2022 NBA Draft

The NBA invited 24 prospects to the green room, who were all expected to be first-round selections. Jaden Hardy was the final player left when the Kings went on the clock at 37th overall. Dallas worked out a deal and cleared the green room by selecting the 6’4 guard.

Over his 26 games with the G League Ignite, Hardy averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. That combines his play from the G League Showcase and the G League Ignite tour. Hardy shot under 40 percent from the field and committed 3.4 turnovers per game, but the 19-year-old’s ball-handling and shot-making abilities were on full display.

The 6’4 guard is a scorer that needs to improve his defense, efficiency, and playmaking chop. Hardy was a projected lottery pick going into the season, and his fall into the second round was shocking on Thursday night.

Dallas Mavericks 2022 NBA Draft grade for selecting Jaden Hardy: A

Hardy was the best player left on the board, and the Mavericks swooped in to secure his rights. The 19-year-old profiles best as a sixth man, but he has the talent to be a 15-plus point per game scorer.

Hardy will not be ready for significant NBA minutes next season. The 6’4 guard will be the star of the Dallas Mavericks summer league squad in Las Vegas before playing most of his minutes in Frisco with the Texas Legends next season. Still, getting a talented prospect with upside at 37th overall makes this another A grade for the Mavs.