4. Jaden Hardy
Just like Dante Exum, guard Jaden Hardy is also due for a contract after 2025, and has pressure on himself to determine whether or not he can be a core piece or trade bait for the Mavs moving forward.
A big difference is Hardy is younger than Exum. Hardy turned 22 in July. And like Exum, Hardy played well coming off the bench last season averaging 7.3 points per game, and has shown to be a reliable 3-point shooter.
Hardy struggled at times during the playoffs, but Hardy did have one good game against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals. Hardy scored 11 points in the opening game of the Finals off the bench. He was also great in the Western Conference Finals, and he showed flashes that he can be a good role player moving forward.
In the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Hardy shot better from three than he did in the regular season. Hardy shot 41 percent from three but averaged 4.2 points per game.
Hardy finds himself in a tough position being a young guard on a deep guard depth team. But, a good third season can turn the corner for him.
Head coach Jason Kidd might want to give him more minutes to see how far he can take his game. But, with Spencer Dinwiddie signed, it could give him less minutes as well and be a tradable player. Being an x-factor in year three of a career might be extra motivation to help Hardy extend his game on the Mavs, but being an x-factor won’t be easy with the talent of the Mavs roster.
3. Quentin Grimes
One thing is for sure, Tim Hardaway Jr. not being on the Mavs is a positive thing because a big liability is gone. Quentin Grimes was the player the Mavs traded for in the Hardaway Jr. trade from the Pistons, and it was a trade they needed to make.
Grimes turned 24 years old and is still developing his game on defense and shooting the three. But, Grimes is eager to get a fresh start on a new team and turn into an X-factor.
Grimes has proved he’s able to be an X-factor. When being a member of the New York Knicks in the 2022-23 season, Grimes averaged 11.3 points per game and helped the Knicks reach the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Last season, Grimes was traded from the Knicks to the Pistons, and now was traded again in the offseason. With a being on a third team in less than a year, Grimes will want to prove doubters wrong.
Grimes only played six games with the Pistons after the trade due to injuries, so it adds extra motivation for Grimes to be an X-factor. With the Mavs having a lot of guard depth, Grimes will need to find himself to get minutes.
Grimes did become trade bait when Dallas signed Spencer Dinwiddie, and that adds pressure on Grimes because if he doesn’t live up to being a worthy player the Mavs traded for, the Mavs will have no problem trading him again.
2. Naji Marshall
When playing with the New Orleans Pelicans, Naji Marshall was becoming an underappreciated player. Marshall was an underrated piece in helping the Pelicans make the playoffs in 2023 and 2024. Now, Marshall has his chance to reach his full potential in Dallas.
When Marshall signed his three-year $30 million deal with the Mavs, it was obvious the Mavs trusted him to be a key piece for the contract length. If Dallas didn’t see potential in Marshall, they wouldn’t have given him a three-year contract.
Marshall did average 7.1 points per game last season with the Pelicans, but his field goal and 3-point percentages increased. And Marshall is a lockdown defender which the Mavs need. Marshall’s game was getting recognized on a team like New Orleans, and he was dubbed the “most underrated forward” in the NBA.
Having that recognition can give Marshall more motivation to help Dallas win games. With being a small forward, Marshall could find himself being the first forward off the bench when Luka Doncic or Klay Thompson need rest. And with Derrick Jones Jr. also gone, it allows Marshall to fill in a crucial spot the Mavs needed to fill.
Marshall’s 3-point shooting and his lockdown defense was something the Mavs needed in the 2024 Finals, and they now have the ability to get it now. With Marshall being 26 years old, he is hitting his prime in Dallas and could be a perfect X-factor next season.
1. Spencer Dinwiddie
When the Mavs brought back Spencer Dinwiddie on a one-year deal, excitement for Mavs fans and the franchise rose through the roof. Dinwiddie was a big contributing piece to the Mavs’ run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals and is eager to show off his talent again in Dallas.
The 2023-24 season was rough for Dinwiddie as a member of the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, With him now coming back to Dallas, it can provide a sigh of relief for Dinwiddie as he’s comfortable playing with Luka Doncic and having Jason Kidd as his head coach.
Dinwiddie’s proven in Dallas he can be a lethal scorer whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. Along with his ability to score, Dinwiddie’s leadership is something that makes him a better player, and a trusted player to be an X-factor, unlike other guards on the roster.
Dinwiddie will pass players on the roster in minutes with his game, and it gives Dallas a better chance to win. If Dallas didn’t trust him, they wouldn’t have signed him to come back to Dallas.
But, even with coming back, Dinwiddie needs to earn the Mavs’ trust again. His Mavs tenure ended rough as he was traded to Brooklyn, and was involved in the Kyrie Irving trade, but Dinwiddie has respect among the Mavs organization.
The Mavs have potential x-factors on their roster, and Dinwiddie is the biggest one. Being back in Dallas can excel in his game like it used to in Dallas. For more news on the Mavericks, stay tuned.
