Trade & FA 2024-25:

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

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.

You’re not alone in this. I just made a couple of posts the other day saying it’s a no-brainer to extend him at Max Christie $ (not sure Klutch would want this?) I think Hardy has “prototypical 6th man scoring guard” written all over him. Very encouraged by his growth in play making and defense in the playoffs. 

I’m also a big Omax believer and would only deal him for a near star to star. I would include him, and all other available assets for that matter, for a shot at Sydney Sweeney.