Josh Green is set for a move to Charlotte as part of a multi-team NBA trade that will land superstar Klay Thompson in Dallas.
The Australian wing is reportedly part of a multi-team deal built around the four-time NBA champion guard’s move to the runner-up Mavericks.
Green, who was drafted at No.18 by the Mavericks in 2020, signed a three-year rookie contract extension with Dallas last October.
Josh Green in the 2024 NBA finals. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The two-way threat averaged a career-high 26 minutes per game in his fourth season alongside superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
But a 4-1 NBA Finals loss to Boston prompted big moves from Mavericks head office that will see Green pack his bags.
The Hornets finished third-last in the east with a record of 21 wins and 61 losses but there is room for Green to flourish into a key piece alongside guard LaMelo Ball.
ESPN reports as part of the deal, the Hornets will send two second-round picks to the Mavericks for 23-year-old Green, with one of those potentially landing at Golden State.
Thompson, the veteran shooting guard who has spent all 13 years of his NBA career with the Warriors, was an unrestricted free agent this summer and reportedly received interest from the Nuggets, Magic, Lakers, Clippers and 76ers.
Green is a strong defensive player with high intensity – while not a prolific scorer, it’s his work off the ball that is most impressive. He is a capable three-point shooter and is best when driving to the rim.
Green will feature in the Boomers’ first pre-Olympic hit-out against China in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
His trade follows that of Australian teammates Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City to Chicago) and Dyson Daniels (New Orleans to Atlanta), who will both receive a boost in minutes with their moves.
Giddey was a starter at Oklahoma during the 2023-24 regular season and put up some great numbers towards the end – including a flurry of triple-double performances.
Although, the young Aussie provided little in the Thunder’s post season run, and was subsequently benched.
Dyson Daniels was drafted in 2022 as the eighth overall pick, averaging 22 minutes in the recent NBA season.
He will now join Trae Young in the Hawks backcourt – making for a new look starting five without Dejounte Murray.