Desmond Bane wanted to play for Mavericks: Makes them pay for passing

The Dallas Mavericks surprisingly selected Josh Green with the 18th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Fans were clamoring for the likes of Saddiq Bey and Desmond Bane as 3-and-D wings ready to make an immediate impact. Green was more of a project, but a few years younger with time to develop into something more.

Bane and Bey are both NBA starters in their second seasons, and Green has played a total of 499 minutes. The 21-year-old Australian just cannot crack the Mavericks rotation. Even on Dec. 4 when Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, and Willie Cauley-Stein were all out, Green was a DNP-CD.

On the other side, Bane started for the Grizzlies on Saturday night and made the Mavs pay for passing on him by dropping 29 points, nine rebounds, and four 3-pointers made in 34 minutes of action. The Grizzlies wing let fans know that he was pumped following the game. Here is a closer look at his comments, and what the Mavericks can learn moving forward.

Desmond Bane wanted to play for Dallas Mavericks: Makes them pay for passing

Bane was asked about the Mavs choosing to pass on him in the 2020 NBA Draft, and if it added any extra motivation. Fans can see his quote below.

"No question. I’ve always thrived on that. I mean, I’m not a guy that needs a bunch of extra motivation, but I’m motivated to play against the organizations that passed up on me. I mean, there are 29 of them. I went 30th, so every game, especially the ones like Dallas, the ones I thought would be good fits, and were showing me interest throughout the pre-draft process, right in my backyard. I love where I am at, but if there was a number two, it probably would have been here. So, I’m glad we got the win tonight, let me just say that."

Mavericks fans were upset on draft night when they selected Green over Bey and Bane, and those comments had to sting following Saturday night’s 97-90 loss to the Grizzlies where Dallas could not get their offense rolling until Tim Hardaway Jr. got hot in the fourth quarter. Having Desmond Bane on their side certainly would have helped.

The Dallas Mavericks already regret passing on the NBA-ready players for the upside of Josh Green. They figure to be picking in the late first-round any time they have a selection with Luka Doncic on their roster, and Dallas must start taking players that can contribute now over upside risks. The Mavs need more talent around their 22-year-old star, and the 2020 NBA Draft was a missed opportunity for Dallas to add a piece.

Desmond Bane went off against the Mavericks on Saturday night. Fans should be watching the 23-year-old wing to see if he can repeat when the two teams rematch on Dec. 8 in Memphis. Either way, they will be plenty of emotions about the Mavs passing on the TCU product will supporters enjoy the contest.