THE GREEN MACHINE: The Subtle Emergence of Josh Green

[DanSchwartzgan]

Since you have long been one of our best resources on deals and contracts, I'd like to get your take. With the cap set to rise in the range of 10% each season for the next half decade, doesn't THJ's declining deal become more and more of an asset? Would that be a real consideration when playing cap chess? Of course if the right deal comes along, most everyone is available, but I do feel we're all a little guilty of a devaluation on THJ.

As to the topic of Green, are we all being too dismissive of Green's abillity to take a real leap in his third year, second with Kidd? He's about there as a defender and has shown to be a gifted passer. Getting to league average as a shooter makes him a real piece for the rotation. Are we all so convinced he doesn't have that in him?

Thanks for the compliment.  I’ve said for a while that I think THJ is more valuable at the TDL or next summer than he is now (coming off of injury).  So, unless you are getting exactly what you want in a Hardaway based deal now, I’d probably wait.  With that said, his prototype (shooter with limited D and limited creation skills) seems to be one where the contracts look the worst shortly after they are signed.  Hield, Bertans, Duncan Robinson and THJ have limited markets IMHO.  Teams need those guys to hit three’s AND do something else (play great D or create for themselves and others).

So, THJ taking up an ever decreasing percentage of the cap also argues for waiting.  If I were handicapping, I’d bet he is part of the outgoing in a deal this summer.  Mike Shedd was on the Locked-On podcast this morning.  When asked what Dallas needs to finish the roster, he didn’t say ball handling.  He said wing play and mentioned DFS and kind of mentioned Bullock and didn’t mention THJ at all in the answer about needing wings (though he later paid him a compliment as a hard worker and locker room guy).  I found that interesting.

I’ve been on the Green bandwagon since his rookie year.  I see the flashes and understand how limited his opportunities have been.  Yes, I’m hopeful he makes a big step and makes someone expendable (like THJ or Bullock).  But, the leap isn’t guaranteed.  So, as much as I like him, I put him in deals that I think better balance the roster.  I’m not in favor of a give away for an average veteran (like Burks or Rose), but give me that type of vet and a youngster like McBride or Saben Lee in a position of greater need and I’m OK with Green being part of the outgoing.  It frightens me, but I’m also pretty high on McBride and Lee.