Last offseason, the Dallas Mavericks signed Jaden Hardy to a three-year, $18 million contract extension. The move was seen as a steal for Dallas, as the team granted Hardy a team-friendly deal. Hardy performed well during the 2024 preseason after showing up big in the Western Conference Finals a few months before. He took advantage of his opportunities with Dante Exum out and Spencer Dinwiddie struggling. So, the deal was seen as a steal for the Mavs.
However, fast-forward to now, and it seems Dallas may be regretting the extension. The Mavs brought back fan-favorite Dennis Smith Jr.