Dallas Mavericks: Josh Richardson leaves Dallas with a dilemma

The emergence of Dallas Mavericks rookie Josh Green

Josh Green, the Mavericks’ 18th overall pick in the 2020 draft, has quickly developed into a fan favorite. He doesn’t have the immediate two-way impact of Saddiq Bey or the 3-point success of Desmond Bane, two guys the Mavericks passed on to select Green, but that is not to say he has been disappointing in the slightest. The versatile Arizona product has been fast, physical, and furious in his rookie minutes.

Things took a turn in Green’s favor in Dallas’s 127-114 win over the Miami Heat on May 4. After his sub-in, the Mavericks engaged in a 57-33 run to dramatically alter the course of the game and secure a clutch victory. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle praised Green after the game and gave him credit for being the catalyst.

That energy is exactly what the Mavericks need in their lineup It’s not to say that Richardson hasn’t supplied any, but Green has been a jolt for Dallas many times throughout the season. The rookie consistently hustles while on the floor. He gets rebounds, is quick on his feet, and often the mistakes that he does make are from being too quick or overzealous rather than carelessness. Green supplies the Mavs with solid defensive play from a 20-year-old and brings competitiveness to his game that you can’t teach.

Put simply, the Dallas Mavericks are winning when Green is on the floor, and they aren’t with Richardson. JRich was also benched in the fourth quarter of a 125-124 win over the Wizards on May 1 in favor of Trey Burke as the Mavericks surged to erase an eight-point deficit and beat Washington. On paper, trading Seth Curry for a guy whose struggles are holding the team back while a rookie outplays him is a massive setback for the franchise. Both the Mavericks and Richardson need answers.

Next: What Mavs need from JRich