2022 NBA Draft: #37 Jaden Hardy (6' 3", 6' 9" WS) to DAL | two 2nds to SAC

[Dundalis]

Wow. 

I'm shocked the Mavs actually selected one of my guys I was high on. Hardy's counting stats weren't super impressive. I'm worried about his rim finishing, defense, and just general consistency...

BUT the dude can create his shot over anyone. Watching some of his games it was apparent he had talent offensively. I was shocked he fell to 37. I am even more shocked the Mavs grabbed him. I hope he proves my scouting skills right, because I am really high on the dude. He has the skills. Usually the Mavs in the past have grabbed the athletic guys that don't have skills and attempt to teach it to them. 

This is the first time since 2018 imo where the Mavs grabbed a guy with skills already and are going to work around his limitations. 


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Second, I don't know why we're all suddenly worried about the Knicks and Brunson, as if them creating space makes their pursuit of him more real. They were always going to do that. I wasn't surprised they made trades to get there. Even now they only have 18 mil at the most if they renounce everyone. 

If the Knicks want to go ahead and throw Brunson 4 years 100 mil, I hope the Mavs just laugh in their face and give Brunson 5/115. This is a losing battle for the Knicks. I thought their deals were absolutely terrible and I hope it blows up in their face. Cuban just needs to write a blank check and call it that. Given we've already heard rumors from Jake Fischer himself saying "Brunson is telling his current/former teammates his return to the Mavs are essentially done" and even Brad Townsend "I expect a Brunson deal back to the Mavs to happen a few minutes after Free Agency begins", I am not worried.

Signing Brunson to a deal that makes him untradeable does worry me. I don't want to lose Brunson for nothing, but losing any flexibility to move him and that contract in the near future to me is a problem that could really handicap the ability to build the team out effectively.