Jaden Hardy has seldom played in the early going to start the season with the veteran-heavy Dallas Mavericks, but that philosophy is by design for the second-round pick.
Hardy entered the season with an uncertain role with so many established players ahead of him on the depth chart. He has totaled just 10 minutes of action across three appearances and has even been inactive for a couple of games, as well.
With playing time at a minimum, the team wants Hardy to learn how to be a professional. They opted to keep him around the team on their recent two-game road trip to get a feel for things in the NBA as he transitions to the league.
Jason Kidd explained what the team wants to see from him.
I think just being a pro, learning how to be a pro. He is taking the game plan that we’ve given him and he is doing a great job with it so far. He is doing everything. He is checking the boxes and he’ll get an opportunity but, right now, there are quite a few guys in front of him.
The team has sent Hardy to its NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, in order to get consistent playing time and stay sharp. He is averaging 26.7 points, 5.3 assists, five rebounds and one steal on 44.8% shooting from 3-point range in three appearances.
The 37th pick turned in his best outing with the Legends on Nov. 5 after erupting for a season-high 33 points, five rebounds and four assists. He got to his spots on the court seemingly with ease and was also successful in driving into the paint and finishing at the rim.
Hardy is proud to see his hard work is paying off.
“It shows me that the work I’ve been putting in is showing,” Hardy told Rookie Wire. “I’m learning and taking it day by day, learning from the guys on the team, learning from the staff and coaches. I’m just trying to get better every day, get a lot of reps in so whenever my name is called I’ll be ready.”
Issa career-night for @JadenHardy1 🤩
33 PTS | 5 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/y1pYwSxWIk
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) November 6, 2022
Hardy credited Kidd and his teammates for helping him in the early going.
Those individuals around him have helped simplify the transition to the NBA so far. With players like Luka Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie, Christian Wood, Dorian Finney-Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr. on the roster, Hardy has plenty of people he can turn to for advice.
They have been super big. They have welcomed me with open arms. Me just being able to watch them up close and ask them questions when we’re watching film and seeing how they work on the court and picking up new things. They have been super big and super helpful for my development. They push me, too. Having that and knowing that they care (is significant).
Hardy, like everyone, has marveled at the level of play by Doncic this season. Doncic leads all players in scoring after averaging 34.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.1 assists and two steals in 12 games. He has scored at least 30 points in all but two games.
Being teammates now with Doncic is still a bit shocking to him.
When you’re seeing it, it’s like, ‘Dang!’ It is mind-blowing just to be able to watch it up close and us being teammates now and being able to go up to him and ask him questions, it is super dope.
The Mavericks loved the addition of Hardy and view him as a first-round talent. He proved a strong scorer last season with the Ignite and has shown that in a limited sample size this year. Slipping to the second round could eventually end up being a steal for Dallas.
Hardy is using his draft-night fall to 37 as motivation this season and is looking to prove those teams that passed on him wrong when he gets his opportunity. That could eventually haunt some teams.
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