Originally drafted 37th overall in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks took a chance when they traded for guard Jaden Hardy. Playing in 48 games in the 2022-23 season, Hardy was steady as a rookie, averaging 8.8 points per game and becoming a knockdown shooter off the bench who stepped up his game as the season unwound.
Heading into his second season, the Mavericks' expectations for Hardy were going to be higher, as they needed to make a playoff push after missing the playoffs in the season prior. However, his point total dropped, and despite some big games in the Mavericks' run to the 2024 NBA Finals, fans questioned his effect on winning and long-term fit.