Mavericks young guard motivated to crack rotation after surprising benching

The Dallas Mavericks are fresh off a 125-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and superstar Luka Doncic once again dazzled in a spectacular display. Doncic, in tandem with Derrick Jones Jr., would lead the Mavericks to a massive road win to keep their undefeated run going.

Unfortunately, Doncic's partner in crime Kyrie Irving didn't appear in the game due to an apparent foot sprain, and he could continue to miss time with this nagging injury. This may be bad news to some fans, but for Mavs guard Jaden Hardy, this could be a blessing in disguise.

Hardy has had a rough beginning to the season. After a promising preseason, he didn't even appear in the Mavericks' first two games. In Memphis, Hardy would finally see marginal time on the floor. In ten minutes of action, Hardy would nail two threes and shoot 33 percent from the field.

Mavericks young guard motivated to crack rotation after surprising benching

Many fans expected Hardy to take that sophomore leap, but we have yet to see any sign of this three games in. However, this isn't entirely Hardy's fault.

After the Mavericks failed to trade guard Tim Hardaway Jr. at last season's deadline and over the offseason, this created a logjam at the guard position.

Hardy's role has been diminished since last season. Hardy will need to prove to the coaching staff that he can play at an elite level if he wishes to play above Seth Curry or Dante Exum.

More recently, Hardy went viral after he stayed late during the team's shootaround before the game against the Grizzlies.

Hardy is a gym rat, and him staying late on the floor for shootaround shows that he is locked in on getting back in the rotation. Fans know how lethal he can be on the floor, and he will need to outplay one of the other guards to get back in the rotation.

Hardy has the offensive talent to be a nightly rotational player for the Mavericks. Additionally, It will be imperative that he shines above one of Exum or Curry. If the second-year guard can hone in on the defensive side of the ball, he could quickly rise above the other two aforementioned guards.

The Mavericks will look to go 4-0 as they play the Chicago Bulls tonight. For more updates on the Dallas Mavericks and Jaden Hardy, stay plugged in.