Mavericks' Klay Thompson move looks even smarter after new Josh Green rumor

The Dallas Mavericks acquired Klay Thompson as part of a six-team sign-and-trade in the summer of 2024, and their decision to do so looks even better now. Josh Green, a player that Dallas sent to the Charlotte Hornets as part of this deal, has been included in some trade rumors this week.

Dallas punted on Josh Green at the right time

Charlotte and the Sacramento Kings have had some early trade conversations surrounding Kings big man Domantas Sabonis, and Green, along with Miles Bridges, were in one of the reported frameworks between these two teams. The Hornets aren't refraining from including Green in trade talks after just his second season with the team, and the Mavericks were smart to trade him when they did.

His three-year, $41 million extension kicked in during his first season in The Queen City, and he has failed to live up to the expectations that come with making over eight figures annually in the NBA. The Aussie averaged just 4.3 points per game last season while playing under 16 minutes per contest. He also started in zero games for the first time in his six-year career.

Green has not been able to live up to the hype that came with being a top-20 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Charlotte being ready to move on so quickly is a huge win for the Mavericks. Dallas offloaded him in that Thompson move less than a month after he shot over 50 percent from three in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.

This series seemed like a flash in the pan (to other teams) for what Green could be when he's at his best, but the Mavs knew better — and them knowing better helped them land a future Hall of Famer.

Why Dallas got the better end of the stick

Green is on the brink of being traded for the second time since July of 2024, and in exchange for him, the Mavs acquired one of the greatest shooters of all time. Thompson has had some great moments in Dallas over the last two years, including 24 games of scoring 20+ points. In Charlotte, Green has only had one game of 20+ points.

It's clear that Dallas got the better end of the deal. They moved off from a young player right before an expensive extension kicked in, and by doing so, they got to sign Thompson. The Mavericks may not look like the same team that the former Splash Brother expected in the summer of 2024, but he has still made the most of his situation and become a fan-favorite in Dallas despite being on the downhill in his career.

Regardless of whether the Mavericks decide to trade Thompson or not this summer, there's no denying that bringing him in was the right move. He can still be extremely dangerous from long range when left open, and a contender could give Dallas some second-round draft capital or a young player in a deal for the sharpshooter.

Klay Thompson is the type of player you can never leave open, and after averaging 12.9 points per game while shooting 38.7 percent from three in two seasons for the Mavericks, he has shown that he still has value to bring. Even more than Josh Green.

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