Mavs' Jaden Hardy 'Staying Ready,’ Being a Star in Bench Role

The sophomore guard has struggled to find a consistent spot in head coach Jason Kidd’s rotation to start the season, but he knows he must 'stay ready' whenever his number is called.

"Really just staying ready whenever my name is called," Hardy said. "Then when I get out there, play within myself trying to make the right plays, while still being aggressive and playing my game."

And when his number was called on Sunday, Hardy was a huge part of Dallas' run in the third quarter alongside Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, Dwight Powell and Tim Hardaway Jr., to cut the lead to just one heading into the fourth. Despite not having consistent playing time to start the season, Hardy's teammates know just how important he is to this team.

"Jaden [Hardy], [Dereck] Lively [II], and Josh Green, those three guys are going to be huge for us. They got to continue to keep taking strides every single day, making the right read and continue with the energy they're playing with," Grant Williams said after the win. 

"There's going to be games where Jaden may play five minutes, and then he'll be asked to play 34. Their attitude and their approach is going to be a true making a mark of this team."

For Williams, who came to Dallas this offseason from the Boston Celtics in search of a bigger role, he's been in these guys shoes before as the young, talented player who has had to fight for minutes and remain patient and ready for their number to be called.

"I will always say thank you to those guys. I've been in that role, I know how difficult it can possibly be. Those guys come up with great energy every single day," Williams said. "They compete and they make sure that their ultimate goal is winning. They are really going to benefit from that down the line."

If Hardy can continue to stay ready and make this kind of impact off the bench at a consistent rate, Kidd will have no other choice than to carve out a steady, permanent role for him going forward. 

"Really, just staying ready. That's what they are telling me," Hardy said. "Continue to do what I'm doing and continue to put in work, even when I'm not playing. I'm staying late at the gym at night and going in early. I'll just continue to do the stuff that I'm doing and continue to be a pro."