Mavs weigh moving Jaden Hardy as Exum return talks continue
mavs-weigh-moving-jaden-hardy-as-exum-return-talks-continue
The Dallas Mavericks are actively seeking trade partners for guard Jaden Hardy while trying to create the financial room needed to finalize a one-year contract with free-agent guard Dante Exum, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Dallas has been shopping second-year forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper since Wednesday, but Hardy has now joined the list of potential outgoing pieces, multiple sources told Fischer. A decision is expected before Friday’s 4:00 p.m. CT deadline to waive and stretch contracts for cap purposes.
If no trade materializes, the Mavericks could stretch Prosper’s $3 million 2025/26 salary—treated as expiring if the club declines his $5.3 million option for 2026/27—spreading the hit over three seasons at roughly $1 million per year. That move would free about $2 million below next season’s second tax apron.
Second-apron crunch
The Mavericks hard-capped themselves at the second apron by using the taxpayer mid-level exception on D’Angelo Russell last month. Team salary for apron calculations sits near $206.2 million, roughly $1.6 million shy of the $207.824 million threshold. A veteran-minimum contract for Exum would cost $2,296,274, pushing Dallas over the limit unless salary is cleared.
Hardy’s contract and role
Hardy, 23, was the 37th pick in the 2022 draft after a season with G League Ignite. He signed a three-year, $18 million extension last October that begins in 2025/26 and pays a flat $6 million annually, with a team option in 2027/28.
The 6-4 shooting guard appeared in 57 games last season, averaging 8.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 15.7 minutes while shooting 43.5% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range.
Dallas currently has 15 players on guaranteed or partially guaranteed deals for 2025/26. Trading or waiving Prosper, Hardy, or another player would open both the roster spot and the cap space required to complete Exum’s pending contract.
Source: Hoops Rumors
