Dallas Mavs' Josh Green Makes 'Statement' vs. Detroit Pistons; Contract Extension Deadline Looms
DALLAS — Before the Dallas Mavericks open the regular season with a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Josh Green faces a looming contract extension deadline. Green's representation and the Mavs have until Monday to agree on a deal, or he'll become a restricted free agent in the summer.
Green remained consistent with his message, focusing on helping the Mavs succeed while allowing his CAA representation to handle his contract talks.
“There’s a deadline, but the 25th is the first game of the season,” Green said. “For me, that’s my main priority. So whatever happens, happens.
“I’m just letting my agents and the front office take care of that, but my eye is on the 25th and beating the Spurs and getting off to a good start.”
In the Mavs' preseason finale against the Detroit Pistons, Green got off to an imposing start by scoring 15 of his 22 points in the first quarter alone. After losing the first three preseason games, Green made it a point to set the tone and help lead the team to a victory to end the preseason.
“I just wanted to come out and just win the game going into the season with a win under our belt and with momentum," Green said. "I wanted to come in and, when I’m open, shoot the ball. I know what I’ve been doing to work on. Just a little bit of everything and just trying to have fun."
With the Mavs' continued focus on playing at a faster pace, Green was aggressive early and often, whether he had a quick trigger for catch-and-shoot 3s despite a contest, attacked downhill playing out of a dribble handoff (DHO) semi-transition, or received the ball in semi-transition, he did a lot of damage to the Pistons' defense.
“The assists came with us playing at a fast pace and pushing the ball," Green said. "Guys are playing unselfish, and it’s something that we have been working on. The transition has been a big emphasis on this team. We’ve been doing it day in and day out in practice, and it’s a fun way to play.”
Green's role entering the season remains to be determined, too. He is coming off a career year, averaging 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 60 games last season, but the Mavs have yet to solidify who will start on the wing alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Green is undoubtedly among the options, but Derrick Jones Jr. has also gained consideration.
Dallas Mavericks wing Josh Green drives the lane against the Detroit Pistons.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Irving, who often orchestrated the offense against the Pistons, remains very encouraged by what he's seen from Green's development. Irving encourages Green to be aggressive when opportunities come his way but also conveys the need to continue to grow in how he attacks depending on the time and score.
"I'll never discourage Josh from being aggressive, and I think my teammates in the coaching staff could say the same," Irving said. "I think we just want him to grow and mature in terms of his decision making — time and score is, is something that he has to be aware of, you know? It's been good to see him develop up close now."
As the Mavs remain in need of resolving Green's long-term future with the organization with a looming deadline to reach an agreement on a contract extension, coach Jason Kidd remains confident in a favorable outcome. The work that Green put in during the offseason
“I think he’s just trying to play the game the right way through everything that he’s been working on during the summer and things that we have asked him to do, both offensively and defensively," Kidd said of Green. "I think that's what he has been focused on. I think that the contract is going to take care of itself at some point. He’s going to get a contract at some point, and if it’s not now, it’s going to be after the season."
"He’s doing everything to be successful with or without the contract," Kidd explained. "He’s just focused on doing the right things. He did that for us this training camp, and we believe he’s going to do that for us during the season.”
Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving drives the lane against the Detroit Pistons.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Mavs have no shortage of veteran players for Green to lean on, with Irving being a prime example. Irving has sympathy for the part of the journey that Green is going through as it relates to the business of basketball requiring attention while personally needing to prepare for success in the season. Irving admires how Green is handling the situation and understands the importance of giving him confidence.
"It's a crazy position to be in when you have business and the team going on," Irving said of Green. "I know the position he's in, but he's handling it very well, and he stayed mentally strong. I just wanted to focus on getting better, and I'm just going to continue to feed him confidence alongside my teammates. So it feels good to see him have a game like this."
As the Mavs' regular season opener looms, Irving feels Green made a statement with his performance against the Pistons. However, the goal is to continue to build on that type of success and carry it over against the Spurs and onward.
"I feel like he made a statement, and he should feel good about himself," Irving said of Green. "Now we should have some carryover going into San Antonio, which is going to be a heck of a door to the wild, wild west matchups that we have in the rivalry that's going on between San Antonio and Houston."
It remains to be seen how Green's contract talks will play out with the Mavs, but regardless, both sides have remained consistent in portraying mutual interest in continuing their relationship for the long term.
