4 Dallas Mavericks players who barely survived the NBA trade deadline

2. Josh Green

Josh Green has had a rollercoaster season through his fourth year in Dallas. After a prove-it or lose-it third-year campaign with the Mavericks, Dallas’ front office awarded Green with a three-year $41 million contract extension ahead of the start of the season. However, Green proved to be extremely hesitant on offense and far too sporadic on defense to start the season for Dallas.

Just like last year, Green suffered an elbow injury in mid-December that kept him out multiple weeks. Green was able to improve steadily throughout the month of January for Dallas upon returning from injury though, and looked much more aggressive with the ball in his hands compared to the player we saw early on in the season.

Green is still working to expand his dribble package and shot-creation ability, but the fourth year guard is finally ascending into the player that Mavericks fans thought he would be all season when you take into account how he’s played since the start of February. For the month of February, Green is averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

Green has been much more disciplined as a point of attack defender as well recently, as he’s played some of the best basketball in his career in this recent stretch ahead of the trade deadline. Dallas needs a player of Green’s elk in their starting lineup, as it’s been proven that some tertiary ball handling and solid point of attack defense is extremely invaluable next to Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in Dallas’ starting five.

Green harnessed the opportunity to prove Dallas’ front office right after reports surfaced that they wanted to keep him ahead of the trade deadline despite the Hornets interest in acquiring Green in the P.J.Washington deal. Green didn't merely survive the trade deadline, as he has thrived for Dallas during a crucial juncture of the season and has proved his worth as a sure-fire starter barring a huge drop-off in consistency.