Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Chicagojk]

I'm low-key worried they're about to trade Hardy, but in the event they don't, I want to go on record now that I think Hardy is about to have a breakout year. He's got so much talent and so much courage. I think he IS a 6th man of the year type (top 10 in that category?) as long as he gets a shot at that role, consistently. Frankly, he's one of the things I'm most excited about in terms of this year's team potentially being better than last year's.

This is weird, because in this community I'm historically the one trying to stick up for the coach who's not playing some young guy everyone loves, but in this case I feel like I'm one of the only people around who still believes in the kid. I think that if he gets minutes the Mavs might wish they had extended this summer. I don't think we'll be worried about 6th man OR backup point guard by the end of November. I could obviously be wrong.

The only thing I don't love about him in that role is that I don't think he's ideally suited to play WITH Kyrie while Luka sits, but...with Luka? with Exum? with Grimes? Check, check and check.

One of the real cool things about this trade is we have several young to mid 20's guys who will be fighting for real minutes for a real good team.    Heck, even Klay has something to prove, but guys like Jaden, Omax, Grimes and possibly Marshall can earn real important minutes (and an extension for a few of them).   It is exciting.  In a perfect world, all excel.  

 I think there is only room for two of Omax, Jaden and Grimes....I think.  Especially if Omax is looking like a wing who guards 1 to 3's.   Jaden got finals minutes this season, and it was trending that he was going to be a rotation player and maybe have a year 3 jump.  He will need to earn those minutes now.   Omax is fighting for a chance, but has the skills/measurables/personality this team is looking for.  Grimes looked like a real good developing role player a few years ago but now needs to show it fast to get a nice pay day.   It should be exciting.    For a real good team, we have a lot of guys with upside that will be fighting for minutes.