The Wizards’ acquisitions of Trae Young and Anthony Davis have given them two star-caliber players, both with incredible resumes.
A resume with a total of 14 combined all star appearances, 6 all-NBA team nods and even an NBA championship.
Through acquiring both players, Washington hopes to catapult into contention in 2026, drawing headlines for their bold moves. But Davis and Young weren’t the only players the team worked to obtain over the last month.
The Wizards added guard Jaden Hardy in their deal for Davis, a 23 year old guard who flashed potential during his time in Dallas. It’s a move that flew under the radar, given the scope of the Davis deal. Hardy, however, has made an immediate impact, with 11 points on 3-5 shooting from 3-point range in his Wizards debut.
As Washington continues to battle injuries, Hardy is a player who could be a serious difference-maker for Washington. By providing the team with a much-needed spark on offense, the former Mav could help his new team find their footing.
Spacing the Floor
Hardy’s fantastic opening night as a Wizard was a fantastic preview into what to expect from the guard, especially from 3-point range.The guard has taken a serious step up as a perimeter scorer so far this season, an encouraging sign for a Wizards’ offense in need of floor spacing.
The playmaker's overall three-point percentage is down slightly, from 38.6% to 37.1%. But according to NBA stats website NBArpm, he’s taking threes at a significantly higher rate, jumping from 43% to 58% of his overall shots.
This growth shows that Hardy can be a high-volume threat from 3-point range. Whereas teams used to view the guard more as an athletic driver, due to his strong play with the Mavericks’ bench during their finals run, Hardy has transformed to place an additional stress on the defense.
Hardy's three-point shooting fits perfectly for a Wizards offense that has struggled to create looks from beyond this season. The team ranks just 24th in 3 pointers made, along with 26th in field goal percentage on catch and shoot looks. Hardy should be able to contribute greatly, his strengths directly contributing to a team-wide weakness.
An underrated playmaker
Much of Hardy’s contributions in Dallas this season came as a 3-point shooter, due to his more complimentary role in the offense. However, the guard flashed some capabilities as a creator during his time in the lone star state, a talent which could be unlocked in Washington.
The former G-League Ignite standout's assist numbers have largely slipped over the past couple of years, as the talent around him has decayed in Dallas. But while playing alongside lead guards in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the player was much more effective at making assists, especially in transition.
Hardy’s speed and athleticism worked perfectly alongside the two guards in 2024, as the defensive coverages they faced allowed him more opportunities at the rim. Within those possessions, though, Hardy showed flashes of willingness to make the extra pass, opening up 3-point opportunities.
Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington are hardly Doncic and Irving at this point in their careers. But the two draw significant gravity on offense, potentially opening up avenues for Hardy to gain similar chances to create looks.
When adjusted for turnovers, players shot 59% on assisted looks by Hardy in 2024 per NBARPM, a sign of him creating great looks for his teammates. If he’s able to tap back into this skill, he could be a huge boost for Washington’s offense.
Where does he fit?
With Young and Davis out for the foreseeable future, the Wizards are in need more than ever of instant offense, especially with their bench unit.
Hardy will likely come off the bench to play alongside Washington’s young guard depth, contributing to a unit that has struggled all year long. The Wizards rank just 25th in bench points this season, and the young player offers a boost they have yet to uncover.
With Hardy in the picture, Washington will hope for more improvement on the offensive end, looking to finish the 2025 season on a promising note.