IT'S HARDY TIME: Jaden Hardy looking like a decent prospect

[DanSchwartzgan]

Jordan Clarkson, Lou Will, Jamal Crawford ... all good comps for a 6th man, instant offense type who can handle and make plays. Jason Terry. 

I've only really seen Hardy's highlights. He's a longer guard, like Clarkson, but with a bigger frame that may fill out over time. Seems to have great footwork and strong understanding of how to use leverage to get by his guy rather than relying on an explosive first step. He's shooting the light out -- looks like a lottery-level talent to me -- but the best news comes from his teammates who instantly declared Hardy a steal in training camp. He has a very modern game.

Granted, we haven't seen him play NBA minutes but if I have lottery SG, a dead-eye shooter with handles, I have much higher expectations than 6th man who doesn't play defense. By accounts, Hardy is a hard worker who should be able to defend -- though he doesn't have to be a stopper if he's going to score 20 PPG!

Really like the fit of a dream future starting lineup ... Luka (23) Hardy (20) Green (22) 

The next young pieces to find should be a big wing / forward to develop behind DFS, a kid who can guard 1-5 and shoot, and a modern center.

Agree with all of this.  Green's development and Hardy's potential could fill two important roster holes for years to come (whether Hardy is a starter or a sixth man instant offense type) if you don't trade them away.  I wasn't setting a ceiling on Hardy.  I was asking if he has the defensive chops to play next to Luka.  Of course, some optimist (like Dan) would probably tell me that we got to the WCF's with Brunson next to Luka and he wasn't some fantastic defender either.

As I've contemplated trades, one of the things I've tried to do is add in a developmental player.  For instance, I think Kai Jones has a shot at being a modern center (athletic, mobile and can hit 3's).  I've been trying to add him into Gordon Hayward trade proposals.  I tried to do similar things with trade ideas this summer.  Another benefit of Green/Hardy becoming significant contributors is it makes the Hardaway/Bullock  types more expendable as outgoing salary match.  There was some sentiment this summer that Bullock was indispensable.  I didn't think so, but I was early on what Green would become.  This team has more rotation players than it needs and could probably use a 'consolidation trade' to convert two or more guys into one guy to ease the logjam.