Jaden Hardy Secures Mavericks Contract Extension, Quentin Grimes to Enter Free Agency Next Summer
Jaden Hardy secures a contract extension, while Quentin Grimes heads to restricted free agency. How the Mavericks’ roster moves shape their 2024-25 season outlook.
DALLAS — With the 2024-25 NBA regular season approaching, the Dallas Mavericks worked out a contract extension with Jaden Hardy but couldn’t get a deal done with Quentin Grimes before Monday’s deadline.
Hardy, 22, landed a three-year, $18 million rookie-scale extension with a final-year team option. He’s been developing as a key piece off the bench and looking to make the most of the opportunity that could open up for him this season. League personnel surveyed by Dallas Hoops Journal have praised the value of this deal.
Grimes, whom the Mavericks acquired in an offseason trade with the Detroit Pistons, will enter restricted free agency after the season. While both sides are optimistic about the relationship, they have this season to play out the situation and gauge where they’re at next summer. The 24-year-old wing will surely seek to find a home after beginning the season on his third team since the start of last season.
Hardy’s Growth as a Playmaker
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Head coach Jason Kidd has praised Hardy’s evolution as a playmaker, highlighting the extensive work put into his development since he joined the team. The Mavericks have focused on improving his passing reads, especially against low-defender rotations, which has bolstered his chances for more playing time early in the season.
“I think when you talk about Jaden’s ability, we all know he can score. But his ability to play make, to find guys, to throw lobs, and make corner passes — you can see he’s improved in that area,” Kidd said. “He’s worked extremely hard, and it’s good to see him not just scoring but also being able to create for others.”
Hardy credited veteran teammates like Kyrie Irving for helping him grow in this area, who had taken him under his wing since being traded to the Mavericks in 2023. The two spent some time together early in the offseason before Irving’s broken hand sidelined him for a stretch.
“It’s been perfect for me. He’s one of the greatest guards to ever play, a future Hall of Famer. He’s been willing to share everything with me—his process, what he’s gone through, and it’s been nothing but love,” Hardy told Sportskeeda in my recent exclusive interview.
Improving pick-and-roll reads has been a critical focus for Hardy throughout his NBA career as he continues to develop as a playmaker. Known for scoring when he entered the league, Hardy has worked on advancing his reads and becoming more comfortable initiating the offense.
“Really, it’s my pick-and-roll reads. Coming off the screen, looking at the low man, the help-side defense, just trying to find the open man and set my teammates up,” Hardy told Sportskeeda. “I’ve been slowing down more, reading the defense when I’m in the paint, for sure.”
Pathway to Playing Time Opens
Last season, Hardy averaged 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 13.5 minutes per game, shooting 40.7% overall, 36.2% from beyond the arc, and 77.6% from the free-throw line. While he showed promise, he struggled to secure consistent rotation minutes. However, the Mavericks leaned on him during the Western Conference Finals, where he delivered key moments, hinting at his potential to contribute on a bigger stage.
A critical factor in Hardy’s potential role this early season is the absence of Danté Exum, who remains sidelined after undergoing wrist surgery during training camp. Exum’s injury allows Hardy to earn a consistent spot in the Mavericks’ rotation if he can thrive in an expanded role. Kidd has already expressed confidence in Hardy stepping up when called upon.
“With the injuries now [to Danté Exum], [Hardy] can start,” Kidd said. “He’s one of the first guys off the bench. Healthy, he can still be part of that rotation and not start because of the names that are ahead of him. But he’s had an incredible training camp up until this point. We look forward to him playing minutes and being a part of that rotation.”
Kidd has been enthusiastic about Hardy’s ceiling, praising the young guard’s dedication to improving his game. Hardy led the Mavericks in scoring and assists during preseason, averaging 15.0 points and 4.3 assists over four games. He maximized his 26.2 minutes per game, notably shooting 40.7% from 3-point range on 6.8 attempts per game.
“The ceiling is, there is no ceiling,” Kidd said. “That’s up to him and the work that he puts in. We’ll see where he ends up. He’s a young player, he’s worked extremely hard on his craft, and he’s getting better each year.”
In addition to his offensive development, Hardy has been making strides defensively, a focus area he believes will help him carve out a more consistent role.
“Right now, I’m focused on defending the three better, picking up full court, and challenging guys while they bring the ball up,” Hardy told Sportskeeda. “I’m also working on being in the right spots on defense, communicating, and bringing energy.”
Grimes’ Contract Situation and Role
Grimes was acquired from the Pistons in a deal that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. and draft assets to Detroit. The move allowed Dallas to use its non-taxpayer midlevel exception to sign Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million contract, addressing a need after Derrick Jones Jr. joined the Los Angeles Clippers.
Grimes’ best season came in 2022-23 with the New York Knicks, when he averaged 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and shot 38.6 percent from beyond the arc while starting alongside Jalen Brunson. After dealing with a wrist injury and knee soreness, he played limited minutes last season with the Pistons.
With the Mavericks, Grimes has shown promise ahead of the regular season. Despite not reaching an extension, the team remains optimistic about his potential. Kidd has praised Grimes for his ability to impact games even when he isn’t scoring.
“His ability to catch and shoot, along with his toughness, stands out. Even when he didn’t score well the other night, he still grabbed 10 rebounds,” Kidd said. “He’s all about helping the team and doing the little things we need. This is about sacrificing and being unselfish.”
Building Chemistry with Key Players
Both Hardy and Grimes are expected to play significant roles off the bench. The Mavericks envision a defensive pairing between Grimes and Naji Marshall for the second unit while Hardy develops as a playmaker and scorer. Kidd has stressed the importance of both players building chemistry with the team’s star players.
“Defensively, you’re taking on the matchup every night, trying to stop whoever is out there — whether it’s the best player, the tallest guy, the shortest guy, it doesn’t matter,” Grimes said. “I’m going to take on that matchup every time I step on the court.”
Kidd noted the need for Grimes to connect with the team’s top playmakers but praised his potential with this group. The team has appreciated the extra work Grimes has consistently put in ahead of the regular season while embracing doing the dirty work.
“He’s putting in the time and doing everything we’ve asked him to do. The next step is to foster that relationship with Kyrie and Luka because he’s going to be on the floor with those guys,” Kidd said. “But I think his toughness, his ability to defend, and his knack for knocking down open shots are things we really value.”
As the Mavericks prepare to open the new season, Hardy’s growth as a playmaker and Grimes’ versatility will be key factors in the team’s depth. The absence of Exum could allow Hardy to carve out a consistent role, while Grimes aims to boost his market value as he eyes restricted free agency next summer.
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