The Charlotte Hornets' decision to join the six-team Klay Thompson mega-deal last season was met with praise by some pundits, as the team was able to snatch a potential 3-and-D piece in Josh Green. Still, there were concerns about whether the former Dallas Mavericks swingman could be a solid contributor to the Hornets, especially after a forgettable Olympics stint for the Australian national basketball squad.
Once he was able to suit up for Charlotte, he immediately showed how he could make an impact for the Hive with his impressive shooting from the outside and decent defense. There was even a point when he led the league in 3-point shooting percentage, converting more than half of his attempts.
However, as the 2024-25 campaign wore on, Green's efficiency took a hit. He finished the regular season hitting 39.1 percent of his shots from beyond the arc — not bad, but not excellent for someone who isn't a volume shooter. The most concerning development for the full-time starter, though, was that his defense was not up to scratch. By the end of the regular season, his defensive rating ranked third-worst among all Hornets players who suited up in 60 games or more.
Josh Green's lack of production should put him on the bench
If it isn't obvious by now, Green just isn't a starting-caliber player. It's worth mentioning that the Mavs also decided to move him to the second unit during the 2023-24 campaign.
Perhaps if Green could have contributed in some other ways when he couldn't fulfill his 3-and-D role with much success, he could have locked his spot in the Hornets' starting lineup. However, the University of Arizona product couldn't even create shots for himself on offense.
As a keen-eyed Reddit user noted, Green led the league in number of games with at least 25 minutes played while recording fewer than five points. He had 17 such contests, six more than Defensive Player of the Year finalist Draymond Green and two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Charlotte's extended bout with injuries surely factored into Green's offensive mediocrity. A different perspective about it, though, is that the lack of healthy bodies should have been an opportunity for him to prove that he could be relied upon to help on offense. If he can't even do that while not providing much on defense, then he should be playing off the bench next season and beyond.
On the other hand, the Hornets might be better off trading him in the summer. However, finding a taker for the 24-year-old vet might be easier said than done, especially since he still has two years left in his contract. If the franchise manages to free itself of Green, it should make sure to avoid committing the same risk of entrusting a starting spot to a player who has been in the league for a while but still hasn't proven anything.