Youth. It’s a wonderful thing. It’s also fleeting. NBA teams understand the value of youth as well. Sometimes, a veteran team may look to get a little bit younger.
Sure, veterans tend to win more. They use their NBA experience and know-how. Still, young players can add a valuable dynamic to a team. They can have better endurance and they tend to be more athletic. Even the best teams in the NBA are well advised to keep a couple of youngsters around.
The Milwaukee Bucks are a little light on youth. This team could use some younger legs to get out in transition – after all, Giannis Antetokoumnpo is among the best defensive playmakers in the NBA. Could they acquire Jaden Hardy from the Dallas Mavericks?
The Trade Proposal
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G/F Malik Beasley, 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIL)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: G Jaden Hardy
Experience is a wonderful thing too. Meanwhile, it’s built to last. The young get older. By contrast, the experienced only get more experienced. Anyway, enough philosophy – we’re talking about NBA basketball here.
It’s true that contending teams should keep some young players around. Still, they should only rely on them to a certain extent. Just take the Golden State Warriors. They’ve been in a bit of a dilemma in recent years. This contending team has blue-chip, young talent on their roster. They don’t have room to develop it. Now, they may have to seek a trade for Jonathan Kuminga soon.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Could the Mavericks suffer the same fate? This team would like to be in the mix for the NBA title. Meanwhile, they’ve got young players like Hardy, Josh Green, Derrick Lively III, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper throughout their roster. Should they trade Hardy for the more experienced Beasley?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
Some Mavericks fans won’t be happy with this deal. Of all of the young players we’ve just named, Hardy likely has the highest upside. Why would the Mavericks move him?
Well, ask yourself this – will Dallas be able to explore Hardy’s upside? He looks like a shot creator. The Mavericks are good in that regard. Luka Doncic is one of the best playmakers in the NBA, and Kyrie Irving can create his own shot against anybody. How will Hardy ever fit into the pecking order?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
In all likelihood, he won’t. By contrast, Beasley is more of an off-ball threat who will complement this team’s stars. Meanwhile, the Mavericks could use more draft capital. Adding swap rights to a distant first-rounder has value for them as well. Should the Bucks give up those swap rights?
Why The Milwaukee Bucks Do The Deal
You might be asking yourself a question. If the Mavericks don’t have room for Hardy, why would the contending Bucks? That’s a fair question. Luckily for you, we’ve got an answer.
The Mavericks are flush with shot creators. On the other hand, the Bucks are a little bit light on half-court offense. Khris Middleton hasn’t quite looked the same in that regard after an injury. Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday is an inconsistent creator. The Bucks may actually have a use for Hardy.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
More broadly, this team could use some youth. Outside of Marjon Beauchamp, the Bucks almost exclusively roster seasoned veterans. With this deal, they’ll inject some youth into their team – you can’t put a price on that.
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