Mavs Rookie Jaden Hardy Signs Shoe Deal with Nike
Jaden Hardy was the top guard prospect in the country coming out of his 2021 high school class. Instead of going the traditional route of playing college basketball before going to the NBA, Hardy opted to play in the G League for a year instead.
Due to his struggles with efficiency in the G League, Hardy’s draft stock fell, as the Dallas Mavericks, who already had him on their top-20 big board, were able to trade into the second round and draft him with the No. 37 pick.
Through Las Vegas Summer League play, training came and preseason, Hardy showed flashes of the potential that made him such an enticing prospect over the last few years, as well as some of the things that allowed him to fall.
When it comes to betting on Hardy’s future with the Mavs, you can count Nike in on being a believer, as the company has officially signed him and a handful of other high-profile rookies to shoe deals, according to ESPN’s Nick DePaula.
Hardy already has a handful of Nike connections with the Mavs, as GM Nico Harrison was the Vice President at the company before coming to Dallas, and Luka Doncic is now one of the most popular faces of Jordan Brand, which is under the Nike umbrella. Mavs legend and current Special Advisor Dirk Nowitzki has always been a Nike athlete as well.
Coach Jason Kidd recently said Hardy was on the outside looking in when it comes to his rotation, but that it didn’t mean he wouldn’t get to play at times this season. If Hardy is able to take advantage of his opportunities, he could end up contributing for Dallas sooner than expected … and that would make both the Mavs and Nike very happy.
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