The Charlotte Hornets have swooped in and made the most of an opportunity to help execute the first six-team trade in NBA history. While all eyes were on Klay Thompson joining the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte quietly made an excellent pickup by acquiring swingman Josh Green.
Green, 23, will now have a chance to start for the Hornets and tap into the potential that made him a first-round draft pick in 2020.
The Mavericks have been in win-now mode since the moment they realized Luka Doncic was a walking postseason appearance. It's certainly not a bad position to be in, but Doncic's development was arguably at a faster pace than what the front office in Dallas was preparing itself for.
An appearance in the 2024 NBA Finals proved that their eventual approach paid off, but players like Green were often who paid the price for the Mavericks' sudden ambition.
Green finally received some semblance of consistency in his role over the past two seasons, but his full potential remains unexplored. There have been flashes of brilliance, but the full extent of what he's capable of remains unclear.
Thankfully, Charles Lee and the Hornets will have every opportunity to assist Green in living up to his full potential.
Enable Defensive Potential
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of what Green brings to the table is his defensive potential. Between his physical tools and the film that suggests there's something to work with, Green could be the connective tissue that links LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
If the Hornets are going to help Green become the player that he's capable of developing into, then it all starts on the defensive end of the floor.
Green is the prototypical wing from a physical perspective. Standing at 6'5" and 200 pounds with a 6'10" wingspan, he has the size, length, and strength to defend either wing position and even switch successfully against smaller 4s.
Green's energy can also provide a massive boost on the defensive end of the floor, although his overeagerness could stand to be coached to a more manageable level.
Green isn't a lockdown defender, but his qualities suggest that he has the potential to reach those heights. In addition to having the ideal measurements, he's a fluid athlete with a degree of explosiveness that enables him to get to spots quicker than the average defender.
If Lee and the Hornets can help Green tap into his defensive potential, he could become the missing piece for Charlotte's promising perimeter.
Understand Three-Point Shooting Context
One of the most challenging aspects of integrating a new player into a lineup is figuring out what it is they do well. Anyone can look at the box score and read a stat line, but context is crucial when evaluating how a player fits.
In the case of Josh Green, his efficient three-point shooting comes with an important bit of context: Up to this point, he's been the proverbial catch-and-shoot specialist in that arena.
Green shot 38.7 percent from beyond the arc in catch-and-shoot situations in 2023-24. He knocked down a solid 36.4 percent of his pull-up three-point field goals, but he also attempted a grand total of 11 all season—compared to the 173 catch-and-shoot attempts he registered.
Acknowledging this, the Hornets should position Green to operate in more of an off-ball role when three-point shooting is the topic at hand—until, of course, he proves otherwise consistent.
It's also worth noting that Green shot 41.5 percent from beyond the arc during the 19 games in which he played at least 30 minutes. He remained generally efficient with other minute distributions, but it was a testament to the importance of consistent playing time that he reached an elite level when he could finally get into a rhythm.
The best thing that the Hornets can do for Green is understand that context when debating how to bring the best out of him as a player—and, more specifically, as a shooter.
Tertiary Playmaking Role
The Charlotte Hornets' offense is in good hands with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. For that matter, Miles Bridges is a high-level scorer, Tre Mann has intriguing upside as a playmaker, and veterans such as Reggie Jackson and Vasilije Micic can create consistently if they're still on the roster by the season opener.
For as promising as that collection of talent may be, one area in which it would behoove the Hornets to utilize Josh Green would be in a tertiary playmaking role.
Green is an ideal complement to playmakers and shot creaters for a variety of reasons. One of the most appealing aspects of what he showcased in Dallas, however, is the ability to make passes on the move—often finding bigs near the basket.
Whether he's in transition or attacking a closeout, Green knows how to put the ball on the money while in full forward motion.
Green's ability to attack in a straight line and make plays was perhaps the most under-utilized aspect of his skill set in Dallas. He has a quick first step, comfortably plays above the rim, and does a good job of identifying what opportunities are available once he has leverage on an opponent.
If the Hornets are able to bring that out of him, then he could take a step beyond the 3-and-D mold into the territory of being a top-tier role player.