The Dallas Mavericks began their offseason by trading Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks for Quentin Grimes.
The Mavs needed to get rid of Hardaway Jr. after a disappointing season, and both sides were seemingly ready for a fresh start. A couple of days later, the Mavs made another trade.
In a sign-and-trade for Klay Thompson, the Mavs sent Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets had a past interest in Green, and the Mavs decided to move on from Green in order to get Thompson to Dallas.
Green’s contract listed as ‘reason to hate’ Hornets’ offseason
Even though the Mavs will miss Green’s hustle and spark off the bench, it’s looking like the Mavs traded him at the right time.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes detailed “Reasons to Love and Hate Every NBA Team’s 2024 Offseason,” and the reason he hated the Hornets’ offseason is because of Green’s contract.
The Mavs signed Green to a three-year, $41 million extension before last season, and that contract begins this season. At the time, this seemed like a good value for Green. After not showing much improvement last season, it’s clear the Mavs may have gotten rid of him at the right time.
Hughes talked about how Green isn’t big enough to consistently defend wings and the advanced stats don’t do him any favors.
Hughes did compliment Green’s shooting, passing, and energy, but the Mavs sold on the potential that these skills propel him into being an elite role player for the guaranteed contributions Thompson will bring. Dallas knows what they are going to get from Thompson, and he should be the better overall fit.
Also, with the Mavs trading for Grimes, it already looked like Green’s future was in question. Grimes is an upgrade over Green in nearly every way, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he ended up taking the same role that Green played. Grimes is a better defender and could project to be a better shooter than Green, and the Mavs got him for an absolute steal.
Green joining Charlotte’s young core should give him a better shot at showcasing his skills considering he’ll likely get more minutes and should have a good chance at starting in the backcourt next to LaMelo Ball, but Hughes is still a bit weary about this move by the Hornets.
The Mavs could be regretting this move if Thompson doesn’t pan out and Green balls out for the Hornets, but this seems unlikely. Thompson, one of the greatest shooters ever, will be getting tons of good looks while playing next to Luka Doncic, and he is slated to join the starting lineup right away.
Green’s shotmaking in the corners and nonstop hustle should help the Hornets, but the Mavs may have sold at the perfect time right before his extension kicked in.
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