Emilee Chinn/NBAE via Getty Images
Jaden Hardy joined the growing number of players who parlayed a year with the NBA G League Ignite into becoming a first-round pick in the NBA draft.
The Dallas Mavericks selected Hardy 37th overall Thursday night.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman’s Scouting Report
Player: Jaden Hardy
Position: SG
Height: 6’4″
Pro Comparison: Malik Beasley
Scouting Report: Hardy’s stock took a hit in the G League, though he was still able to produce and showcase the shot-creation and shot-making that fueled so much scoring potential out of high school. Staying efficient and improving as a passer and defender will be priorities at the next level.
Mavericks Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)
Jaden Hardy, SG
Luka Doncic, PG: $42.5M (2027)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG: $18.8M (2025)
Spencer Dinwiddie, PG: $18M (2024)
Davis Bertans, SF: $16M (2025)
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF: $13.9M (2026)
Christian Wood, PF: $13.7M (2023)
Dwight Powell, PF: $11.1M (2023)
Reggie Bullock, SF: $10M (2024)
Maxi Kleber, PF: $8.9M (2023)
Josh Green, SG: $3.4M (2024)
Frank Ntilikina, PG: $1.9M (2023)
Jalen Brunson, PG: UFA
Theo Pinson, SG: UFA
The 6’4″ guard eschewed the traditional college route and took advantage of the NBA’s G League pathway. It was another coup for the project considering he was the No. 4 overall player in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2021 recruiting class.
In 12 G-League Showcase appearances with the Ignite, he averaged 17.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists. His shooting (35.1 percent overall and 26.9 percent on threes) left a little something to be desired.
Properly harnessing his offensive potential will help Dallas turn Hardy into a dynamic scorer at the next level.
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