Q. So you started out Mavs, went to the Finals the second year. The Wizards are down on their luck at this time. How do you approach this new opportunity with that kind of rebuilding approach? Could you offer any vet experience to the locker room over the season?
JADEN HARDY: Just looking at it as another opportunity, trying to take advantage of coming in, trying to fit in with the guys. I feel like I've done a great job of that, getting to know my teammates, understand them, being with the other coaching staff, BK, DV, those guys welcomed me with open arms ever since I got here. Really appreciating that.
Just trying to take advantage of this opportunity, like you said. Obviously they're going through a rebuilding stage. Going into next year, we try to make that jump and be a Playoff team. Coming in doing what I can, coming in and being a leader, helping the young guys, being that vet with experience so that I can pass down my knowledge to the younger guys, just help them build their confidence.
Knowing what I bring to the table with my scoring, my ability to play make. Just coming out competing. I love to compete. Just go out there, fight for my guys. Can't wait for next season, so...
Q. Having already seen more big games, are you treated as more of a vet than everyone else in the same generation of players, or do you see yourself as having a different kind of respect?
JADEN HARDY: I feel like some of the guys kind of do look at me as a vet, knowing that I came from Dallas. I got a chance to play in the Finals, so I have Playoff experience, know what that feels like.
Yeah, in a way. But I'm not that much older than those guys. It's kind of funny 'cause I connect with those guys so well. I speak with them like all the time. It's funny. I feel like they look at me as a vet.
Q. Do they call you Unc?
JADEN HARDY: No, they call me Big Bro.
Q. How helpful was it for you to have A.D. be part of that trade experience, have to go through the same transition as you? Was he helpful to you?
JADEN HARDY: Yeah, he was super helpful. A.D. is my brother. We had a tight connection when we was in Dallas. When I found out I was still going to be with A.D., I was super excited because that's my guy.
He's been nothing but help to me, being there for me on and off the court, making sure that I'm good. That's my brother. I appreciate him.
Q. In your time in Dallas, you've played with a lot of different talented players. As a young guy, to be as polished as Cooper Flagg, now coming here to DC, what did you see from some of those guys? Who stuck out to you the most?
JADEN HARDY: I feel like we have a bunch of young guys that's super talented, with a good skill set. Obviously I would say Bub, Tre, Will, all these guys. All these young guys. I feel like they got so much to their games. They can expand and get better. I feel like with the tools that they have, I feel like the sky's the limit.
They love to put in work. If they continue to do that, I feel like, like I said, the sky's the limit. The guys keep getting better every year, yeah.
Q. Now that you've been with A.D. in Dallas and DC, did you notice any different ways he interacted with his teammates in the two different cities? Was it more of like a mentor here than in Dallas?
JADEN HARDY: I wouldn't say there's no difference. A.D., he's been the type of guy that's a leader. People look for him for advice for different things. I feel like ever since he's got here, the younger guys have approached him. He's been nothing but help to them with whatever it is. On the floor, on the bench, he's communicating with them during the game, telling them what he sees, how he can help.
I feel like when you got somebody like that that's willing to share knowledge, share advice with the younger generation, I feel like younger guys appreciate that. Myself even appreciate that, seeing how he interacts with his teammates, how he cares for his teammates. That goes a long way.
That's something that I appreciate. I know my teammates appreciate it, too.
Q. You had a lot of games where you scored quite a few points since you got here. What have the Wizards helped you get better at?
JADEN HARDY: I would say just coming in, just making me feel comfortable ever since I got here. They welcomed me. That's a big shout-out to the organization, the staff, my teammates welcoming me, making he would feel comfortable.
When I got on the floor, BK let me play my game. I appreciate him for that. Just being able to try to fit in with the guys, fit in with the team with my skill set, what I bring. I feel like I can help elevate our team, be one of those pieces that really thrives.
Q. We know how hard you worked to become the player and scorer you are. How did you get to be so efficient so quickly off the bench? Seems like a skill in and of itself to come into a game cold.
JADEN HARDY: Yeah, that's for sure. That's a good question.
I would say it goes into my preparation, mentally just staying ready, staying present within a game. Might be some times where I don't even play the first half. Just reading the game, watching the game from a different perspective. If I was out there, what I could do to help the team or how I could be aggressive out there, make plays for my teammates and change the game around.
Just watching the game from a different perspective, my preparation, obviously going out there playing confidently, with my teammates believing in me, trusting in me, and my coaches as well. That helps my confidence, as well. Just staying ready.
I put a lot of hours in the gym, a lot of late nights working on my game, working on my craft. So whenever my name is called, my number is called, I'm able to go out there and perform, whether that's in the fourth quarter when I'm called or first quarter I'm called, try to go out there and play and give it my all. That's how I do it.
Q. You made the transition here look very smooth. I'm sure there were some adjustments you had to make. What's one thing on the court that you had to adjust to? How do you feel like you adjusted?
JADEN HARDY: Obviously coming in, it was hard at first just the whole routine, meeting everybody, trying to know what's expected of me coming in. So just trying to fit in with the guys.
I feel like I got some real good teammates. Them making me feel comfortable. In the end just coming in, trying to be a help, trying to be confident in my play. Just trying to support the younger guys, support the team, help guys get better going into next season.
Q. Did you have a perception of what the franchise was before you got here? When you got here, that's not quite what I thought it would be? For example, A.D. said before he was traded here he didn't really hear a lot of good things about the Wizards. He got here and he said he saw stuff that he didn't expect. Is that similar to your experience?
JADEN HARDY: People's always got their opinions, what they say about organizations and stuff. I mean, from my experience, it's been nothing but the love. They welcomed me with open arms. It's been great. The facilities are great.
I mean, to answer your question, I get what you saying, like how you saying the different perspectives. I mean, I can only speak from me and my experience on how it's going. I feel like how it's going has been great with them welcoming me, just feeling like a family over here.
I feel like at first I didn't really know how it was going to be. Just growing up, I know growing up I used to watch John Wall a lot when he was with the Wizards. Just saying that aspect of coming to DC, I know he was in DC, I'm still close to John, so I talked to John.
Yeah, just that aspect of just being able to watch somebody that I looked up to early on in my career, like early age. I feel like that was something, a bright spot about it, just watching players I liked watching growing up play for this team, play for this organization. Me playing for this organization, being able to come in, make an impression, so...
Q. You mentioned you would do anything to get to know your teammates, play with them in the off-season. Can you go into your off-season plans? Do you plan on staying in DC or going back home?
JADEN HARDY: Yeah, I plan being in DC working with those guys. Right now season's just ended, so going to take some time, recuperate, rest my body, then get back on schedule.
Q. Another Dallas teammate from the area, Naji Marshall. I know he's texting you, gave you some spot to go. Have you had any contact about living out here?
JADEN HARDY: Yeah, Naji is my guy. He texted me the day I was traded. We talked the day I was traded. Yes, I know this is his home, this is his crib. Whatever I need, whatever I need, just know him, he'll make sure I'm taken care of. Naji is my brother. We had a great relationship out in Dallas. That's going to be my brother for life.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports