Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we look at Jaden Hardy.
Every start of the NBA season, most teams have at least one roster spot occupied by a player they’re uncertain about. For the purple and gold, it’s hard to imagine anyone fitting that description more than Jaden Hardy.
After being acquired from the Wizards along with
much-needed draft capital in exchange for Deandre Ayton, the 24-year-old Hardy joined an already crowded guard rotation. He may be coming off a career year with the Wizards where he averaged 12.6 points in 23 games, but his addition didn’t really address a need.
Given that the Lakers’ two best players already occupy the guard rotation and they have options like Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle and Bronny James, it’s hard to see Hardy standing out. That’s why right now, Hardy may hold more value as a tradable asset.
But that’s not to say that the five-year guard won’t have the opportunity to prove that he’s more than that. Hardy can still crack the rotation and the best way he can do that is to surprise everybody, especially JJ Redick.
What is his best-case scenario?
The best-case scenario for the 6’3” guard is to be a serviceable option off the bench, which would mean overtaking the other guards in the rotation. Hardy will have to fit very well in Redick’s system. He has the potential to do so because of his ability to shoot, create his own shot, execute pick-and-rolls and push the pace in transition. This is the type of skillset that bodes well around Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler.
Note that across his time with the Dallas Mavericks and Wizards, Hardy shot 38.6% from the 3-point line in 3.6 attempts per game. He doesn’t need to dominate the ball to be useful. Ideally, he becomes a spark plug off the bench or a spot-starter when the superstars sit.
If he can replicate what Malik Monk was for the Lakers in the 2021-22 season, then that’s the best possible outcome.
What is his worst-case scenario?
The worst-case scenario for Hardy is if he’s traded before deadline in February without having the opportunity to prove himself. Not only would that put the 24-year-old on his third team in three years, but it could also leave him entering the final stretch of his three-year contract without establishing himself as a long-term piece, since his team option will be looming ahead of next season.
It’ll also be a shame for the Lakers to be spending $6 million on another guard whose role is to simply warm the bench. For as useful as his offensive upside is, the question is whether Hardy can provide enough value in other areas such as defense, playmaking, decision-making and off-ball impact.
What is his most likely role on the team?
Realistically speaking, Hardy is a third-string scoring guard. He can carve out a role for himself as the team’s microwave scorer and spark plug but that’ll depend on whether he earns Redick’s trust.
The Lakers have had their fair share of undersized, one-dimensional guards in recent seasons and too many of them have ultimately become liabilities rather than assets. Hardy’s challenge will be to avoid falling into that same category. If he can provide consistent scoring without becoming a weakness elsewhere, he has a chance to be a pleasant surprise rather than another player taking up a valuable roster spot.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
