LAS VEGAS – Jaden Hardy is entering a big season and it has started with some good news.
According to Jason Kidd, Hardy is going to get a chance to step up his game this season, his third with the Mavericks. His first two years in the NBA brought a mixed bag of results. He performed well at times. He could pile up points in a hurry with his quickness and his three-point shooting.
But it’s been a slow process largely because it’s hard for Hardy to get a lot of playing time on a team that has Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving in the backcourt. 
And then the Mavericks added Klay Thompson this summer. And Spencer Dinwiddie. It’s a crowded house in the backcourt, for sure. But Kidd wants to carve some space for Hardy.
“On paper, we got a lot of starting guards, starting centers – we got a lot of starters,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Talking to the guys, we’re going to instigate competition in camp, instigate competition in practice to make the game easier. We’ll see how that pans out.
“Hardy, he’s been patiently waiting. He’s going to get his opportunity.”
Of course, he’s going to have to earn it, as all of the Mavericks have to when it comes to getting playing time.
Hardy is on the final season of a three-year contract he signed after being drafted in the second round (37th overall) in 2022. He will be a free agent after this season, so performing well in the next six months is paramount for Hardy’s career.
He’s aware of all that. But he’s also keeping his focus on the big picture, which is getting the Mavericks back to the NBA Finals and trying to finish the job this time.
“I know we have a deep roster. But you just have to stay ready,” Hardy said. “It comes down to being a pro. I try to bring great energy, that positive vibe, when I get out there.
“It (training camp) is really big. We want to start off having a good season, start off the right way. For me, (it’s about) coming into camp in better shape – I’m stronger. I feel faster. I’m just ready to get after it.”
Hardy had his best stretch of NBA production around Christmas last season. During a 10-game span, he averaged 21.9 minutes and 11.4 points. He shot 36.4 percent from three-point range in that run and also chipped in three rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
But for the season, his playing time dipped slightly from the previous season to 13.5 minutes per game, although he did play 73 games as opposed to only 48 as a rookie.
He also got some meaningful minutes during the playoffs and shot 40.7 percent (11-of-27) from three-point land in the postseason.
“As last year went on, I started to get better and better,” Hardy said. “I got an opportunity and I feel like I took the most of that. I took advantage with the minutes I was given and I’m thankful for that. That really helped build my confidence a lot because I was just eager to be out there. I feel like I belonged on the floor and like I could help the team.”
Then came an offseason when Hardy had some clear instructions.
“Mostly, I was working on my body and preparing because I know this year is going to be big for me,” he said. “The coaching staff also talked to me about making those right decisions.
“I feel like playing a lot of pickup this summer I was able to work on my game decisions so I could get a feel for the game, read the game. I feel like that helped me a lot this summer.”
Getting stronger, both physically and mentally. That was his mission.
Will it translate into a bigger role?
“We can go out on a limb and say there’s two guys or three guys who are going to start,” Kidd said, referring to Dončić, Irving and Thompson. “But you talk about injuries, be ready. Be ready to start.
“Those guys worked extremely hard this summer and we do have a lot of guys who want to play. And we’ll try to figure out on this journey how to get everybody the proper minutes.
“But everything we’re doing is to win a championship. So we all have to sacrifice your individual goals to look at the team goal first.”
X: @ESefko
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