New team, same mentality for the Hornets’ Josh Green

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Josh Green, who helped the Dallas Mavericks advance to the NBA Finals last season, was traded to the Hornets July 1 as part of a three-team deal.

Josh Green appears to fit the new mold coach Charles Lee wants for the Hornets.

The former Dallas Mavericks guard admits he has a lot to learn after he was traded to Charlotte as part of a three-team deal. But he also thinks he has a lot to bring to the table.

“[I will] come in and just work as hard as I can,” Green said from Abu Dhabi, where he is preparing for the Olympics with the Australian national team. “I still think I’m a pretty young guy, so I feel like in Dallas I was able to do certain stuff and be very committed to that role, and I think I’m able to continue to develop and be able to show different areas of my game. Just let the game come to me and continue to put in as much work as I can.”

Green, 23, was picked 18th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, the same year as Hornets’ guard LaMelo Ball. Green played with another talented point guard in Dallas, Luka Doncic, who like Ball, stands 6-6.

“[Ball] is a very talented player,” said Green, who is 6-5. “He gets all his teammates involved and is a great passer. I think going back to transition and being able to push the pace, I think we have the ability to be a very fast team. It’s enjoyable to play that way, so I’m looking forward to it. I enjoy picking up full court and just trying to be physical on the defensive end and lock in to my assignments.”

Green, who averaged 8.2 points and 26.4 minutes per game last year, is fresh off an NBA Finals where in his best game scored 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting against Boston.

“It was an amazing experience,” he said, “especially going against Coach [Lee]. I think I was able to learn a lot pressure-wise and preparation-wise going into the Finals series. I felt like I was able to grow a lot as a player in certain situations. Once you’re there, you definitely have an itch to be back there. I’m very highly motivated and excited.”

While he may be in Abu Dhabi preparing for the Olympic Games, Green said he was excited to get the call that he was going to Charlotte.

“It was about 3 in the morning,” Green said. “I got the call from my agents, and I’m super excited. I’m very excited to be a part of something that seems like a lot of fun. I’ve been seeing a lot of the videos on Instagram and social media. It seems like a fun team with amazing ownership in Rick [Schnall] and Gabe [Plotkin]. They’re building something really cool, so I’m super happy to be a part of it and have a new opportunity.”

Since the July 1 trade, Green said there has been plenty of contact between himself, Lee and executive vice president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson. But one thing is on his mind at the moment.

“They’ve been amazing communication-wise,” he said. “We’ve been in constant contact. I think the big thing that’s a huge focus is focusing on the Australian team for now, and then being able to get into a deeper relationship and be able to talk about my role at a time after the Olympics. They’ve been amazing communication-wise, and it makes me feel very comfortable.”

Green is excited about the Olympics, where the Australians are looking to improve on the bronze they earned in the 2020 Games.

“I think going into this one, I was lucky enough to be able to go to the last Olympics during COVID,” he said. “Obviously I was a younger guy and being able to learn from the older guys like Joe [Ingles] and Patty [Mills], it’s fun. It’s always fun being able to play with these guys and it’s very enjoyable.”

Green feels his role with team Australia will translate to his role with the Hornets.

“Coming into the Australian system at a young age,” he said. “I was at first just learning the system and playing against older guys – Joe, Patty, guys like that. I was able to learn a lot and over the years my role has been able to gradually change and become bigger. This year’s been a lot of fun being able to come more off ball screens and dribble handoffs and be a creator. At the end of the day, I love playing defense. I love picking up full court and just bringing energy to the team and trying to create plays.”

Even at 23, Green will be a veteran presence on the Hornets roster. Former Dallas teammate Grant Williams, who was traded to Charlotte last season, has already been in contact.

“I think coming into the league at such a young age, I learned that it’s a big adjustment,” Green said. “Not only basketball, but also off the court. I think being able to have guys who were there for me in certain areas and certain situations was probably the most beneficial part of just growing up as a basketball player in the NBA. I’m always open to being able to help younger guys out. It feels weird saying that because I do still feel like I’m young. Grant Williams is probably doing an amazing job of that in Charlotte now. He’s definitely a great leader.”

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