While the Dallas Mavericks continue to make roster improvements in the offseason, two veteran players could be the key to the team’s return to the NBA Finals.
Jaden Hardy, Point Guard, 6-foot-3-inch and 198 pounds
After being selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, Hardy struggled to find his footing during his rookie season, playing an average of just 14.8 minutes per game.
However, he showed significant improvement in his game during his sophomore season despite playing fewer minutes per game.
After playing in only 48 games during his rookie season, Hardy played in 73 games last season and was more consistently included in lineups outside of garbage time.
Hardy continued to see action during the Mavericks’ postseason run, playing an average of only 6.8 minutes but receiving head coach Jason Kidd’s blessing to completely run the offense during certain stretches of games.
One of Dallas’ biggest weaknesses during the 2023-2024 season was the lack of ball handling outside of guards Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, a function that Hardy could potentially execute in the upcoming year.
Hardy seemingly has all the traits needed to play alongside both Irving and Doncic when one of the two superstars needs to take a break. He has shown the ability to make open shots, run the offense, and play solid defense when given the opportunity.
Hardy will now have to prove himself as the team’s tertiary ball handler during the Mavericks’ upcoming training camp and eventual preseason matchups.
Dereck Lively II, Center, 7-foot-1-inch and 230 pounds
Lively had one of the best rookie years in the league during the 2023-24 season, with 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and a team-leading 1.4 blocks per game. Still, his best performances came during the Mavericks’ unlikely playoff run.
Like Hardy, Lively did not see an uptick in many of his counting statistics, but the improvements in his game and trust from Kidd were evident during portions of the postseason.
Lively was often on the floor during the closing minutes of crucial playoff games, which is an incredibly rare accomplishment for a rookie and a clear sign that Kidd trusted him to make the correct plays.
Some improved shooting might lead to more time on the floor and even a role as a starter.
Lively showcased his potential as a “stretch five” in Game 4 of the NBA Finals when he made a three-point basket during the Mavericks’ lone win.
Adding shooting to his game would be an amazing development for the Mavericks due to their playstyle, as the team largely relies on isolation scoring from Irving and Doncic to win games.
Forcing teams to worry about Lively on the three-point line would create more space for the rest of the team to operate on offense and allow for easier shots along the three-point line and in the paint.
The good news for Lively is that there is not much competition at center on this Mavericks team, and the only player he will be seriously competing with for a starting role is power forward Daniel Gafford.
Dallas traded for Gafford and quickly chose to insert him into the starting lineup while also moving Lively into a bench role for the back half of the year.
It will be tough for Lively to overtake Gafford as the Mavericks’ starter heading into the regular season. Still, consistent play that highlights his improvements during training camp and the preseason could give Kidd a lot to consider when deciding the starting lineup.
Although many people will be looking to the Mavericks’ new roster additions — forward Naji Marshall and guards Klay Thompson and Quentin Grimes — as reasons the team could make it over the hump and win the franchise’s first NBA Championship since 2011, the real key to success will lie with both Lively and Hardy taking the next steps in their development.