Mavs Open 'Initial' Contract Talks With Josh Green: 'I Want to Be in Dallas'
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks had a busy offseason with adding talent to the supporting cast around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but there may be another order of business to accomplish.
Josh Green is currently eligible for a contract extension as he is set to play out the final year of his rookie deal in the 2023-24 season. He is coming off a career-year averaging 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while shooting 53.7 percent from the floor and 40.2 percent from deep.
According to Marc Stein, the Mavs have "opened" initial contract discussions with Green. With a deadline of Oct. 23 to get a deal done, any contract talks would need to be put on hold until next offseason without an agreement in place prior, and he would be a restricted free agent if he hits the open market.
"The Mavericks have opened initial talks on a contract extension with Josh Green, league sources tell The Stein Line, with an Oct. 23 deadline to seal a deal," Stein wrote.
Green would be eligible to sign a first-year salary worth as much as 25 percent of the salary cap with eight percent annual raises. He could sign a five-year deal if he re-signs with the Mavs, but would only be eligible to sign a four-year offer sheet with another team in restricted free agency.
In a recent interview with ESPN Australia, Green expressed his desire to remain with the Mavs. However, he is currently focused on helping the Australian national team achieve success in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
"Honestly, I haven't really put too much thought into it," Green said of a potential contract extension."I've really just focused on [the national team]. Whatever happens kind of happens.
"Obviously, it's a cool feeling to be in that situation but, at the same time, I put so much work to be able to be in this position now, that you wanna continue to work," Green explained. "I hope it happens. I want to be in Dallas. I love Dallas. I love the fanbase, love the guys. To think I could be in Dallas long-term would be amazing."
During the upcoming NBA season, Green faces a major opportunity to fill an important role on the wing next to Doncic and Irving. If he can continue to grow into being a high-level on-ball defender, further his perimeter shooting development, and grow into his strengths as a lane penetrator and ball handler in his role within the half-court offense, he could make a major impact as a utility player.
The Mavs value Green's impact long-term given they held him out of a potential trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Clint Capela earlier this offseason. He's viewed as an important young player in the team's core.
Australia's first schedule match in part of the World Cup is set to take place on Aug. 25 against Lauri Markkanen and Finland.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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