1 Question for every Dallas Mavericks player as countdown to NBA Playoffs begins

13. Jaden Hardy

Will Jaden Hardy be in the rotation or will he return to the bench?

Over the last five games, we have seen Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy's role fluctuate as much as anyone on the team. Against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, Hardy played for 17 minutes in the win and finished with six points and five assists while shooting 2-4 from downtown. Some of Hardy's playing time was at the end of the game when the game was out of reach, but he showed that he can be a creator off the bench.

After the game, head coach Jason Kidd praised Hardy's play but stressed to the media that there are still a few players in front of him in the rotation. Playing 17 minutes at this point of the season is a positive for Hardy, but fans also must remember that Josh Green is injured.

If Green were healthy, Hardy may be someone who doesn't play.

Playing Hardy or not may be a hard decision for Kidd once the playoffs start, but it's clear that he is playing better than Tim Hardaway Jr. Feelings must be thrown out the window once the playoffs start, and if Hardaway Jr. keeps struggling, Hardy should definitely be in the rotation.

There is a different energy for the Mavs when Hardy is on the floor, and his role is one of the biggest uncertainties on the team right now. Just a few weeks ago, Kidd alluded to Hardy not being in the rotation this season, even after he had an elite stretch of basketball a few weeks before, but things can change quickly.