Every general manager in the NBA has a plan. Each plan has a different window. Some teams are operating within a five-year plan. Others are focused solely on the 2023-34 season. Is there an in between?
Some will say that there isn’t. They’ll say you’re either trying to win now, or you’re trying to win later. Perhaps. Still, teams can make plans with a two year window in mind. They may make marginal moves with the intention of increasing their flexibility ahead of 2024-25.
Take the Dallas Mavericks or New York Knicks. Both of these teams will have title ambitions for this upcoming season. Yet, neither is exactly a championship favorite, either. Could the Mavericks send Jaden Hardy to the Knicks with a two-year plan in mind?
The Trade Proposal
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Miles McBride, 2024 First-Round Pick (DAL via NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G Jaden Hardy
With all of that in mind, the Mavericks are lucky to even be in a position to execute a two-year plan. This team made a risky decision at last year’s trade deadline. They signed Kyrie Irving even though the was due to hit free agency in the summer. If he’d left, it wouldn’t have been a shock if Luka Doncic had followed.
Luckily, Irving stood pat. He will remain a Maverick for the foreseeable future. Now, the Mavericks can breathe a sigh of relief. There’s still a sense of urgency here, but it’s duller than it was before.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks & New York Knicks Updates
What should Dallas do next? Well, they need to strengthen the group around their star duo. The Mavericks could use a 3-and-D wing, and they could use a defensive anchor at the 6. This deal nets them neither. What exactly are the Mavericks doing here?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
The Mavericks do this deal to execute a two-year plan. It’s that simple. They’re sacrificing Hardy to retain control of their own draft next summer. That’s all that’s happening here. The Mavericks aren’t interested in acquiring McBride – he probably won’t crack their rotation.
Would Hardy? Sure. With that said, he’s not likely to be a major cog for Dallas next year. This team has a rumored interest in Buddy Hield. Even if they don’t land him, they’re more likely to lean on veterans like Seth Curry and Tim Hardaway Jr. than increase Hardy’s usage. This is a young player who’ll need some time before he’s able to develop into a win-now contributor.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks & New York Knicks Updates
So, the Mavericks are moving him. In all likelihood, they’ll be looking to move this pick next summer. This is a two-year plan towards acquiring a player who can help put them over the top. Should the Knicks help them execute that plan?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
These two teams both want to contend. Why should they have different interests? In other words, why should the Knicks covet Hardy if they’re also trying to win games?
Well, unlike the Mavericks, the Knicks are flush with draft capital. They control their own picks moving forward. They don’t need this pick as badly as Dallas does. With that in mind, the Knicks can afford to take a flyer on Hardy.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks & New York Knicks Updates
Will he be a mainstay in their rotation? It feels unlikely. Still, they showcase him enough to increase his value. Think about it: Dallas drafted Hardy with a second-round pick. We’re valuing him at a first-rounder now. Couldn’t the Knicks increase his value anymore? If that plan appears to them, they’ll like this deal.
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