ORLÉANS, France — After playing a part in the Dallas Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals, Green was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in part of a historic six-team sign-and-trade deal that featured Klay Thompson landing in Green’s place with the Mavs.

After a few development seasons, Green emerged as a necessary element of the Mavericks’ rotation under head coach Jason Kidd, averaging over 25 minutes per game during his previous two campaigns. Green, 23, finished his 2023-24 campaign averaging 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 38.5% from the perimeter.

I recently spoke with Green exclusively for EssentiallySports while covering one of the Australian national team’s preparation matches in Orléans ahead of the Paris Olympics. His current focus is on helping his squad earn a medal, and he is optimistic about their outlook after solid preparation. 

Before Green returns to the NBA competition with his new team, the Hornets, he will do everything he can to help Australia compete for a medal despite the intense men’s basketball competition at the Paris Olympics.

Australia’s outlook to make some noise at the Olympics

Josh Green won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics with Australia in 2021 but wasn’t a rotation member at that stage of his career. The Australian roster has shifted, with Dyson Daniels emerging as a starter. Josh Green has come off the bench throughout the preparation process, which will likely continue in the Olympic competition.

Australia was placed in what many have called the “group of death” in the Olympics, including tough opponents like Canada, Greece, and Spain. The first matchup will occur against Spain on July 27 at Pierre Maurey Stadium in Lille. “The guys are ready to battle,” Green said. “We’ve had a good training camp. I think everyone’s excited.”

The unselfish nature in which Australia plays gives Green confidence in what his team can achieve, regardless of how difficult of a group they must face. “We play a very unselfish game and with a lot of pace,” Green emphasized. “I think it’s exciting, and I think coaches, they just continue to play us, and we just need to continue with that pace and aggression, and I think we’ll do great.”

Coming off an early exit at the FIBA World Cup after being defeated by the Slovenian national team led by Luka Dončić, there is a critical difference between this Australian squad and the previous version. Jock Landale was a late scratch from the World Cup roster due to an ankle injury.

Now, Landale is back in the fold, making an impact. “It’s very, very important,” Green said of having Landale. “I think it’s important to have a big man. He’s a very good big man. He’s a presence that we need in the middle.”

Green will join the Hornets upon returning from the Olympic games. In 2020, he was selected No. 18 overall in the NBA Draft and spent four seasons with the Mavericks. 

Josh Green is “super grateful” for the Mavericks but “excited” for Charlotte

While Green focuses on the Olympics, he will play for a new NBA team when he returns to that setting. Reflecting on his four seasons with the Mavericks, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity he received from general manager Nico Harison and head coach Jason Kidd.

During his time in Dallas, Green often talked about how he grew up with the Mavericks after his time at the University of Arizona as a kid from Australia. “I think for me, it was moving from Australia at a young age. I just think it was very humbling for me. It was great for me,” Green acknowledged. “Nico and Coach Kidd gave me an opportunity that I don’t know if I would have gotten at an early age.”

From a basketball perspective, Green gradually developed into a much more consistent catch-and-shoot threat, which is essential in order to play next to Luka Dončić. The Slovenian superstar masterfully creates a lot of open shots for his teammates when he isn’t directly imposing his will as a scorer. Green even flashed an impressive ability to use his athleticism attacking off the catch, whether he’s completing an acrobatic finish, or making a tough pass in the air as a secondary playmaker deep on the drive after drawing help defense.

Green reiterated his gratitude for the Mavericks organization but understood the NBA is a business. He went from being a floor spacing liability in a 2022 run to the Western Conference Finals to finishing his Dallas tenure as a contributor to a team that reached the Finals. “I’m super grateful for everything they’ve done. I’ve had an amazing time with them,” Green expressed but acknowledged the other side of the business of basketball. “It’s just part of it, and it’s just how it goes, and I’m excited for my new opportunity in Charlotte.”

However, since the Mavericks’ trade for Kyrie Irving, naturally, a larger wing becomes ideal next to such a backcourt pairing, marking a fundamental shift in identity. Green entered the 2023-24 campaign as a starter but eventually was swapped out in favor of Derrick Jones Jr. in March before Dallas achieved an NBA Finals run.

Green certainly tried making the most of his opportunities as a floor spacer and by getting out in transition, but without two superstars, being a complementary talent may become more challenging. Still, he appears to have a pathway to earning more opportunities to create offensively.

Josh Green embraces “fast-paced” style with Hornets

With LaMelo Ball running point, the Hornets tend to play quickly by pushing the ball up the floor and making throw-ahead passes. Josh Green’s athleticism and high motor should enable him to bring the best out of his skill set in Charlotte, particularly given that he’s continued to improve as an offensive player in the half-court with catch-and-shoot consistency and attacking off the catch.

Green looks forward to the opportunity ahead with the Hornets with a team culture that’s caught his attention for positive reasons. “I just think they get a great young core, and they have a great coach in Charlotte and the new owners, and [Jeff Peterson] have done a great job of starting a new culture, and I’m very excited to be a part of it,” Green detailed. “And play a fast-paced game and be part of something new and exciting.”

The Hornets’ roster features two of Green’s former teammates, Grant Williams and Seth Curry, giving him two familiar faces who can help him get acclimated to Charlotte. “I’m super excited, Grant, he’s a great leader, him and Seth,” Green explained. “They’re two great guys to be around, and I’m excited… Although they’re great leaders, they are also great competitors, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

As it stands, Green has a very realistic chance of starting next to Ball and Brandon Miller on the perimeter. Entering his fifth NBA season with a team that seemingly fits his identity as a player well, it could serve as another chance to reach new heights in his career after showing continued growth in Dallas.