3 reasons why Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd must start key wing moving forward

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 133-126 in a TNT showdown that got NBA Twitter buzzing on Thursday night. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both went for 40-plus as Dallas picked up a crucial win. It took them shooting over 54 percent from the field and north of 52 percent from 3-point range, but the Mavs were victorious.

The talk after the game centered on Doncic and Irving becoming the first Mavericks teammates to each score 40-plus in a game and the team’s offensive potential. The Sixers had zero answers for stopping Dallas on March 2nd, and the national audience witnessed a fun and entertaining contest that was never short on scoring or drama.

Lost in the incredible performance was head coach Jason Kidd putting Josh Green back in the starting lineup, and the 22-year-old proving that he should be the choice. Green’s numbers won’t jump off the screen, but here is a look at why three reasons why he must start moving forward.

Josh Green can start and be the Dallas Mavericks' third playmaker

From Feb. 4 to Feb. 23, Green started eight straight games. It was a weird stretch for the Mavericks because they made the blockbuster trade for Kyrie on Feb. 5, but Luka was out with a heel injury. The duo played just two games together before the All-Star break, and head coach Jason Kidd has been experimenting to try to figure things out.

One of his latest moves was benching Green for Justin Holiday. The Mavericks signed Holiday in the buyout market to give them another 3-and-D wing, and Kidd gave the veteran a two-game look in the starting five. It appears the Hall of Famer moved Green to the bench to make it easier to stagger the minutes. Green played whenever Luka or Kyrie was off the floor against the Pacers.

The 22-year-old wing is the team’s third-best ball-handler and playmaker, and Kidd prefers to have two options on the floor at all times, but that does not excuse starting Holiday over Green. The Mavs head coach can start Green, and alter the rotation to make sure he is on the floor as the second ball-handler whenever one of the team’s superstars needs a rest.

Josh Green should play starter's minutes every night moving forward because of his versatile skill set.