The Dallas Mavericks suffered a frustrating 110-105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday afternoon, but amid the disappointment, one offseason move continues to look like a win-win for the Mavericks front office: trading Josh Green .
Kyrie Irving scored 33 points, and Daniel Gafford chipped in with a double-double of 31 points and 15 rebounds. Yet even their efforts couldn’t lift Dallas, as the team’s inconsistencies remained evident. Despite the defeat, the exchange that sent Josh Green aux Hornets within the framework of theSign-and-trade deal that brought Klay Thompson to Dallas turns out to be a good move.
Green struggles in loss to Hornets, Thompson fulfills role
Josh Green’s disappointing performance for Charlotte—four points on 1-of-6 shooting, five rebounds and two steals—reflects much of his season. Averaging just 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 40.7 percent from the field, Green hasn’t warranted thethree-year, $41 million extension that the Mavericks signed him before trading him.
On the other hand, Klay Thompson has been exactly what Dallas envisioned, especially when playing alongside Luka Doncic. Although Thompson’s seven-point, three-turnover outing against Charlotte was uninspiring, his veteran presence and potential to raise the team’s ceiling in crucial moments makes him a better fit for a Washington team. Mavericks aiming for a return to the NBA Finals.
Why the Green experiment failed in Dallas
Chosen 18th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Green was always considered a project. Selected before players like Tyrese Maxey, Desmond Baneet Jaden McDanielsGreen never developed into the high-impact player the Mavericks hoped he would become. His athleticism and defensive energy were notable, but his offensive limitations and inconsistency prevented him from carving out a substantial role in Dallas’ rotation.
-If Green had stayed in Dallas, he probably would have been even further down the pecking order. Quentin Grimesanother energetic, defense-oriented point guard, has shown much more offensive potential this season, with six 20-point games compared to Green’s season-best of 17 points.
What’s next for Dallas?
The Mavericks’ season did not go as planned, mainly due to injuries and inconsistent performances. However, trading Green for a proven veteran like Thompson signals that the operations office remains committed to winning now. Dallas is counting on Thompson’s ability to make a difference in critical moments and provide the leadership and firepower needed to complement Doncic and Irving.
Although the Mavericks still have obstacles to overcome, Monday’s loss highlighted that the absence of Josh Green is not one of them. For Dallas, the focus now is on staying healthy and building momentum as they continue another deep playoff run.
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