08-21-2023, 02:38 PM
(08-21-2023, 01:10 AM)surfpuckmd Wrote: I think Josh Green will get more money than Grant Williams. I believe he's already a better overall player and he's younger. In looking for a comparison for player value, I would choose Herb Jones. I follow the Pelicans closely as well. Jones is a better defender but Josh is a much better shooter. They both handle the ball pretty well and can pass. Herb is two years older. I think Herb Jones is a slightly better overall player at this time but Green has the youth advantage. That has value.
Herb signed a 4-year, $54 million extension this summer but that is misleading. The Pelicans had a team option for this coming season at less than $2 million. They decided to decline that and extend him instead. Effectively, the Pelicans decided to Herb Jones is worth around $17 million per season. I think that's fair as he's an elite role player and a high-character guy.
I think Josh Green will end up making similar money. I anticipate $16-18 million per year. I hope the Mavericks will agree on an extension sooner rather than later. That would complete an excellent off-season. I believe Mark Cuban is probably still somewhat embarrassed about the Jalen Brunson failure. I don't think he'll want to let Josh Green make it to free agency next summer.
There's definitely an undercurrent among the fan base that Brunson got away, and we should NEVER, EVER let something that awful EVER happen again, no matter WHAT it costs.
On the other hand, Brunson didn't want to be here (or, at least, he wanted to be in NY more), and according to Cuban, never even let the Mavs have a shot at him.
Green, on the other hand, says he really wants to be here. So it would be foolish for the Mavs to bid against themselves. Caution and reason. Show him how the odds of winning a championship go up if they don't overpay him. Maybe get Kyrie to vouch for a more team-friendly deal.
Green doesn't seem to be an image- or ego-driven guy, so I'm guessing he won't push for the maximum possible contract. No talk of "disrespect" or any such Harden-esque nonsense.