The Dallas Mavericks have made some big moves this offseason, and it might be time for them to make another.
The past few months have been interesting in Dallas to say the least. After the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, almost nothing went right for the franchise until lucking into the No. 1 pick and drafting Cooper Flagg.
While Flagg’s addition certainly doesn’t solve everything for the Mavericks, it gives fans in Dallas some optimism that seemed long gone. Outside of Flagg, the only big move Dallas has really made this offseason is signing D’Angelo Russell, who will likely start at point guard while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL.
That move is one of a few reasons why Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley tabbed Jaden Hardy as one of the players under 25 who most need a trade. Hardy has been with the Mavericks for the past three years and has averaged over eight points per game in his career despite averaging under 15 minutes a night.
His talent is quite clear as a potentially electric backcourt scorer, but he’s never received a fair shot in Dallas. And it’s frankly hard to blame Dallas for not giving him a bigger role, considering he’s spent most of his career behind Doncic and Irving.
Although both will be out of the picture when next season tips off, a change of scenery is likely best for Hardy, who still is unlikely to get the reps he needs to reach his full potential. With Flagg and Anthony Davis commanding the ball and a mini-breakout from Max Christie to finish last season, Hardy’s chance of breaking through in Jason Kidd’s rotation is slim.
