Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) will play on Wednesday versus Indiana after missing the last seven games because of a sprained right ankle. The Mavs have been without Anthony Davis (adductor) and Kyrie Irving (knee). But, to make matters worse, Klay Thompson (illness) and Brandon Williams (hamstring) are also sidelined. While Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and P.J. Washington should see most of the scoring opportunities on Wednesday, Hardy, averaging 8.0 points this season, could easily be more productive.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been out since March 3 after spraining his ankle against the Sacramento Kings. According to the Mavericks' PR, Hardy and Anthony Davis (adductor) were both assigned to the team's G League affiliate. This seems to be for rehab purposes, so Hardy and Davis can get some more 5-on-5 work before re-joining the Mavericks. When Hardy returns, he'll likely have a big role with Kyrie Irving (knee) out for the rest of the season. In the meantime, Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Max Christie will continue to see big minutes in the backcourt.

According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Dallas Mavericks guardJaden Hardy(ankle) will be out of action against the Milwaukee Bucks and could miss a period of time due to spraining his right ankle on Monday against the Kings. With Hardy out and Kyrie Irving(knee) done for the remainder of the season, Spencer Dinwiddie will see extra minutes on the floor, which could significantly impact his fantasy production as more scoring opportunities will likely come his way.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) will play on Saturday against Boston. He missed the last three games because of a sprained ankle. However, the 22-year-old has averaged just 8.1 points this season, so he likely won't have a spot in most fantasy lineups for the NBA Finals rematch. With Luka Doncic (calf), Naji Marshall (illness), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and Dwight Powell (hip) sidelined, there are minutes up for grabs. Still, Grimes can't be trusted for fantasy production, even with the potential for more work.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been ruled out for a third straight game on Thursday when the Mavs visit the Thunder. Hardy was injured last Friday in the Mavericks' home win against Oklahoma City, and he won't make it back for this rematch. While he has been out, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes have been getting more playing time. Both Dinwiddie and Grimes have flashed high ceilings, but they have been very inconsistent working alongside Kyrie Irving in the backcourt while Luka Doncic (calf) continues to work his way back.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) will be in the lineup for Wednesday's Christmas matchup against Minnesota. He's returning from a six-game absence after being initially listed as questionable for the contest. Hardy's addition adds an extra option for Dallas, but he isn't expected to be a major factor on Wednesday. Across 22 outings this season, the 22-year-old has averaged only 14.5 minutes per game, scoring 6.5 points. He has earned just 10 total minutes over his last two appearances.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's Christmas clash with the Timberwolves. He has missed the last six games because of a sprained ankle. However, the 22-year-old is seemingly moving in a favorable direction regarding a return to the court. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Hardy is having the worst year of his career, averaging only 6.5 points and 30.5% shooting from behind the three-point line. Even if he is cleared to suit up versus Minnesota, he'll have a tough time getting meaningful minutes with Luka Doncic (heel) and Kyrie Irving available. In addition, the uptick in production from Quentin Grimes could mean Hardy may have difficulty getting on the floor.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Unsurprisingly, Hardy will miss another game which marks five in a row due to sprained right ankle. His absence hurts a little more with fellow guard Luka Doncic (heel) also sidelined on Saturday. However, Kyrie Irving (shoulder) is making his return to the court and he should see a heavy workload. Also, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes should see increased roles with Doncic and Hardy missing at least one more game. Both Dinwiddie and Grimes are worth a look as low-end streaming options.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) will be out of the lineup for a second straight game on Tuesday versus Oklahoma City. The 22-year-old is nursing a right ankle sprain. Hardy hasn't played a consistent role in the Mavericks rotation, and his absence will not have a big impact on Tuesday. Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes will continue to lead the second unit. Dinwiddie has been the more consistent performer out of the two, averaging 14.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the month.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Raptors. His next opportunity to return will be Tuesday against the Thunder. Hardy's playing time often fluctuates based on the health of the Mavericks' roster, but he's shown the ability to score in bursts, as evidenced by his 13 points in just six minutes during his last outing. With Hardy sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie could see increased minutes in the backcourt.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been listed as doubtful on the injury report ahead of Saturday's encounter with Toronto. Hardy is battling a right ankle sprain and has logged only 10 total minutes across the previous two games. His role has been minuscule lately, so the Mavericks' rotation won't change much without Hardy on Saturday. Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes will continue to play big roles off the bench, especially with Naji Marshall (illness) still sidelined at the weekend.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the team. The 22-year-old has spent his first two seasons in the league with the Mavs, averaging 7.9 points and shooting 37.9% from behind the arc. Although Hardy gives Dallas a reliable bench option, he'll likely have a tough time entering any fantasy lineups this season. However, if Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving miss time during the 2024-25 campaign, which will likely happen, Hardy has streaming potential.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy provided the biggest scoring punch off of the bench while the rest of the bench combined for just seven points. The second-year combo guard finished the game with 13 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one made three. He shot 4-for-8 from the floor and knocked down all four of his free throw attempts as well. Hardy saw fewer minutes per game this season than his rookie year, but he's played in more games and has put together some important performances through the playoffs so far. He's climbed higher in the postseason depth chart than Tim Hardaway Jr. which wasn't something that many people predicted in the preseason.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) and center Dwight Powell (illness) are now being categorized as probable for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the San Antonio Spurs. Hardy has an ankle sprain stemming from last week's practice while Powell is fighting through an illness, but the two role players sound likely to play in the opener. Hardy's DFS prospects are dependent on Luka Doncic's (calf) status Wednesday, as he remains questionable after practicing earlier this week and participating in Wednesday's shootaround. Late swap figures to play a key factor here. Powell is set to come off the bench, likely ceding his starting duty to first-round rookie Dereck Lively II at the campaign's beginning.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle), who fully practiced during Monday's session, is deemed questionable for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the San Antonio Spurs. Hardy has been nursing a sprained ankle since last Tuesday, which has left his availability for the opener up in the air. The 21-year-old will likely be head coach Jason Kidd's first point man off the bench when healthy, but his potential absence Wednesday could open up more opportunities for Seth Curry and Dante Exum. With Luka Doncic (calf) managing a calf strain, Kyrie Irving could be in for a very busy 2023-24 season debut. Hardy can be rostered in deep fantasy leagues until Doncic is taken off the injury report, but he'll otherwise be hard-pressed to find minutes in the star-studded Mavericks backcourt.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) was a full participant in Monday's practice. The 21-year-old is trying to overcome an ankle injury in time for Wednesday's season opener against the Spurs, and it's a great sign that he was able to log a full practice. Dallas will have another practice session on Tuesday, and we should then get full clarity on Hardy's availability for Wednesday night. If he ends up not being ready for game action, Dante Exum and Seth Curry could see a larger role off the bench, particularly if Luka Doncic (calf) can't play either.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) remains sidelined, although head coach Jason Kidd hopes he will return to practice next week. The 21-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a rookie. He also shot an impressive 40.4% from deep. However, now that Hardy is battling an ankle issue, he may miss time, including Wednesday's opener against the Spurs. With Luka Doncic (calf) also potentially sitting out, Kyrie Irving may be tasked with most of the ball-handling duties. At the same time, Dante Exum could see enough minutes to make him a viable option for those in deep fantasy setups.

It's funny that every year at the NBA Draft, once the end of the guaranteed money and live appearances arrives at the end of the first round, everybody tunes out and refers to the 60th pick as "Mr. Irrelevant." That's not very accurate though, is it?Speaking historically, the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" could just as easily be applied to each pick in the draft, as organizations differ greatly in their evaluation of talent and their own needs, particularly in a year without the NCAA tournament. The nickname just doesn't reflect how basketball works anymore. Executives strategically stockpile second-round draft picks for the less burdensome financial obligations, and organizations in rebuilding mode get super creative to field a respectable team on a budget.Particularly in the NBA where worldwide talent is plentiful and positional lines continue to fade, the opportunity is everything: in the right situation, the right under-the-radar player can make an immediate, poignant statement. With professional development leagues for 16-18-year-olds, an ever-expanding set of domestic/international opportunities due to the sheer growth of basketball, and widespread NIL rights for college athletes, players of all levels and localities are starting to get their due exposure and now have enough freedom to hone their skills in a place, and at a pace, that fits best with their path to the NBA. 

Introduction

I am inherently skeptical and distrusting of scouting from the high school level to pre-Draft. That's why in this annual article, I tend to favor overlooked college players (love the mid-majors/non-power conferences) with either well-rounded, polished games or specific statistical specialties.We are going to discuss a handful of 2023 second-round picks and undrafted free agent signees who, given their individual skillsets and circumstances, warrant the attention of Fantasy Basketball Managers as potential high-impact rookies for the 2023-24 campaign who can quietly be acquired on clearance once they start showing signs of emergence.As I will frequently emphasize and reiterate: in 2023, there is very little difference between the vast majority of second-round draft picks and undrafted free agents--it always all comes down to the skillsets they possess, their capacity for growth, and the situations they've landed in.Seasons will be made and broken with early identification of the diamond-in-the-rough rookies. I used to list out the many examples from the past season in this introduction portion, but we are now in a beautiful era where there are just too many to count. There is also very little separating the featured players below and those dubbed "Honorable Mentions"--so put in the work and keep an eye out throughout the regular season for who is receiving and seizing their opportunities. 

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Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) was not seen at practice on Tuesday. Hardy is getting treatment on a sprained sprain in the meantime, while Luka Doncic (calf) tends to his strained calf. Dallas' preseason finale arrives on Friday versus the Detroit Pistons, signifying Hardy's next chance to take the court. The 21-year-old offensive-minded combo guard is worth watching as a late-round flier until Doncic and Kyrie Irving (groin) are taken off the injury report. Hardy is slated to play a significant role off the Mavericks bench as it is, and he presents plenty of contingency upside in the event that Doncic and/or Irving are unable to suit up.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy didn't have his best night shooting the ball, but made the most of it during Monday's game. The 21-year-old went 5-for-17 from the floor, but made 12-of-13 free throw attempts. Hardy finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 34 minutes of action. Mavericks summer league coach Jared Dudley said that Hardy would be the focal point during the summer league. The Mavericks clearly believe in the young guard and he does have the potential to be a consistent option. This team could use a reliable shooter off the bench, so hopefully Hardy can be that guy for this team. If that happens, Hardy should be able to have at least deep league value next season.