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Dyson Daniels is rising, Jaden Hardy is falling, but shooters shoot
Before the season, current G-League Ignite guard Jaden Hardy looked to follow in the footsteps of Jalen Green before him and take the G-League by storm for a season before taking his talents to the NBA. However, it has not gone as well for Hardy.
The guard is averaging over 17 points per game this season but his efficiency has been poor. Hardy is only shooting 35 percent from the field and an even more lackluster, 27 percent from three. He did appear over All-Star Weekend, but did not make much of an impact.
But, even though folks are down on him, he’s fallen to 22 in ESPN’s latest mock draft (subscription required), I still like him for the simple fact that he’s a great shooter. If you watch his form and his release, its quick and near perfect.
Just five months ago, we were seeing endless highlights of Hardy shooting from literally a step inside halfcourt. So if there is one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that shooter’s shoot. I think the Cavs would be very wise to add a player with his shooting regimen to the squad, say if they end up having their first-rounder.
With Hardy falling down most draft boards, another G-League player has started to rise. Dyson Daniels, the 6-foot-6 guard from Australia, is starting to turn some heads.
He’s incredibly athletic and explosive, and does a little bit of everything on the court. His stat-stuffing reminds me of another Australian playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in Josh Giddey, but his game isn’t quite on that level yet. Daniels is a great perimeter defender as well, which really bodes well for his game, as he excels in the open court.
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He’s a raw player right now, and he’s only 18, but his NBA ceiling might be very high, so I’d keep an eye on him if I were you!