Dallas Mavericks: Can Josh Green be the 3-and-D wing the Mavs need?

Dallas Mavericks: How Josh Green can become their 3-and-D centerpiece

The Dallas Mavericks‘ goals entering the 2020 offseason were to improve their defense and add perimeter shooting. They made moves to achieve them.

The Mavs traded Seth Curry to Philadelphia in exchange for Josh Richardson and the 36th overall pick. Dallas dealt Justin Jackson, Delon Wright, and a future second-rounder for James Johnson. They drafted a 3-and-D wing in Josh Green, an offensive spark-plug with limitless range in Tyrell Terry, and a multi-dimensional combo forward in Tyler Bey. Dallas added wing depth by signing Wesley Iwundu.

The Mavericks had a strong offseason. Many experts including The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor projected Green as one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft.

Can Dallas Mavericks rookie Josh Green become a feared 3-and-D wing?

The improvements are noticeable so far. Dallas currently ranks sixth in opponent points per game, 11th in opponent field goal percentage, and third in opponent 3-point percentage. Last season, the Mavericks finished 16th, 13th, and tenth in those categories respectively.

Offenses overall are suffering from the quick turnaround to the new season, but Dallas’s new wing defenders should also be credited for the upswing.

These strides on defense come even though Josh Green has barely seen the floor this season. If the former Arizona Wildcat can carve himself a role in the rotation, the Dallas Mavericks could see even more drastic advances in their defense.

Here is what Josh Green will have to do to earn more minutes on the floor.

Next: Threes