Why Jaden Hardy needs to be the Dallas Mavericks 6th man of the present and future

The Dallas Mavericks have struggled since trading for Kyrie Irving. They have dealt with injuries, communication issues, and defensive woes. Every game matters in the crowded Western Conference, but Dallas has not found their stride. The play of rookie Jaden Hardy is one massive positive to come out of the team’s otherwise terrible recent stretch.

The 20-year-old struggled to earn minutes and find a consistent role early in the season. He slipped into the second round in the draft following an up-and-down season with the G League Ignite. There were questions about his shot selection, playmaking ability, and defense coming into the league, but Hardy immediately proved to be a hard worker that wanted to improve.

He has earned consistent minutes over the last ten games, and the 6'4 guard has shown why he should be the team’s sixth man of the present and the future. Here is a look at his game to determine why he bets fits coming off the bench as some instant offensive weapon and what that means moving forward.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Jaden Hardy deserves more playing time after hot stretch

Since getting back into the rotation on March 8 as both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving suffered injuries, Hardy has averaged 16.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 24.0 minutes per game over ten contests. The 20-year-old rookie is shooting 46.2 percent from the field and has made 50.0 percent of his 62 3-point attempts.

Hardy flashed when both stars missed time, but he has provided value with both in the lineup too. The Mavericks' defense has been an issue all season, and it is tough for head coach Jason Kidd to play Doncic, Irving, and Hardy on the floor together. That is why the rookie needs to come off the bench and provide some punch as the sixth man.

Fans do not have to watch long to see that the 6’4 guard is a special talent with a unique ability to score. He is going to make mistakes, but Hardy deserves a consistent role in the present and future for the Dallas Mavericks. Here is a look at why he should be the team’s sixth man for the foreseeable future.

Jaden Hardy provides instant offense but must improve his defense to play more

Hardy is a key piece of the team’s present and future. The Mavericks have limited trade assets after acquiring Kyrie Irving. They do not have a tradeable second-round pick, and two first-rounders will be available only if Dallas conveys their 2023 top selection to the Knicks from the original Kristaps Porzingis trade. The threat of Irving leaving in free agency should have the Mavs concerned as they will not have an avenue to replace him.

Hardy and Josh Green are the team’s two young talents that could blossom into something more. Whether Dallas uses them as trade chips or grows them into more substantial rotation pieces does not matter. The Mavericks need both to continue improving if they want to contend for a championship.

Giving Hardy a consistent role means making him a sixth man. He has the ability to score from anywhere, and the 6’4 wing can get hot at a moment’s notice. The Dallas Mavericks cannot start him next to Luka and Kyrie, but they can bring him off the bench to share the floor with one while the other rests.

Jaden Hardy must improve his defense if he wants to get more playing time. There are too many missed assignments and poor rotations right now, but his defense will come with time and experience. The Mavs need his offense and using him as the sixth man should give the 20-year-old plenty of minutes to continue his development.

Dallas Mavericks have a different feel when Jaden Hardy is on the floor

Hardy brings a ton of energy to the court. The Mavs just look and feel a bit different when he is on the floor. Fans know Luka Doncic loves to slow things down and attack in the half-court. Kyrie Irving has increased the tempo and got the team out in transition more, but they are still not playing fast. Hardy will just take the ball and go.

The 20-year-old rookie can beat his man off the dribble too, and he is never afraid to attack. Hardy’s shot selection can be questionable, but that is why he fits best as a sixth man. Think of him as Jordan Clarkson or Lou Williams. Hardy comes in off the bench and just gets buckets.

In that role, the change of pace and tempo is a plus for the Mavericks. Hardy will likely always share the floor with either Luka or Kyrie, so Dallas has an outlet if the 20-year-old is struggling. It has been a hot stretch over the last ten games. Hardy won't always shoot 50 percent from 3-point range, but he can make a massive impact without it.

Yes, Jaden Hardy will make mistakes. Even next season, he is going to take bad shots and have wild turnovers, but the 20-year-old needs to learn to play through those if he is going to reach his ceiling. No time like the present for that.

Dallas Mavericks are not winning with defense so embrace offense with Jaden Hardy

The Mavs desperately need to improve their perimeter defense, rebounding, and rim protection this offseason. They are just 4-8 when Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving play together since the trade, and their atrocious defense is at the center of that. Dallas must upgrade their roster this summer or they will be back fighting for a place in the Play-In Tournament next season.

Over the final six regular season games and into the playoffs, there is no changing their roster. The Mavericks are stuck with the 15 players they have, so embrace the team's strength and go all-in on it. Let Luka, Kyrie, and Jaden Hardy cook.

The 20-year-old is not ready to be a lead ball-handler, but he can get buckets. When the Mavericks superstars are starting to wear down, lean on Hardy. Let him go to work, especially against tired defenses. The 20-year-old has a high motor and fans are starting to see that he can score from anywhere.

Luka has started finding him more, and few will forget this unbelievable pass from the March 27 win over the Pacers.

Jaden Hardy is still in the early stages of his development, and that is why the Dallas Mavericks need to give him a consistent role now.

Jaden Hardy could be special but he needs time to develop

Rookies often flash in the second half of the season. It takes them time to get acclimated and catch up to the speed of the NBA game. There are usually just glimpses of potential and moments that make you believe there is more to come. Hardy has shown some of those flashes, but he needs time to develop.

That growth will come faster with reps. The Mavericks made this mistake with Josh Green. He barely played as a rookie, so his second NBA season was virtually his first. Dallas stunted his growth, and he did not break out until year three. The Mavs believe he will further improve, but the process was slowed by a lack of playing time.

The franchise cannot make that same mistake with Jaden Hardy. Keep running him out there and let him make mistakes. If he needs to be pulled out because of an error, do it, but give him more run in the second half and let him learn from that mistake.

Head coach Jason Kidd, for all of his flaws, has done well at developing talent. Jaden Hardy certainly has it, and playing him is the first step to reaching his ceiling.

The Dallas Mavericks are in danger of missing the postseason entirely after a rough year, but Jaden Hardy provides a glimmer of hope for the future. Will the 20-year-old keep improving? What is his ceiling? Will he reach it? Stay tuned to find out.