Empty the Bench

[Editor's note: Before embarking on this love fest for a player who has accomplished nothing at the NBA level, it should be noted that Andrew is an unabashed Gerald Green fanboy.]

Every year there are several shrewd decisions in free agency on low-risk players that end up paying huge dividends. Each year there are also a number of guys who receive far more than they can possibly contribute, and their bloated contracts become salary-cap anchors (*ahem*, Gilbert Arenas).

On the first day of free agency the Dallas Mavericks signed one of each. According to the Dallas Morning news the Mavs have an agreement with ultra-athletic SG/SF Gerald “Birthday Cake” Green on a one-year deal. That would be the shrewd decision. Later in the day is was reported by ESPN that the Mavs had also struck a six-year deal with C DeSagana Diop for roughly $30 million. That would be the salary-cap anchor.

Hey, we love DeSagana Diop, that’s just way too much money.

Gerald Green Photo Credit: Icon SMI

In their embarrassing first-round loss to the New Orleans Hornets the Dallas Mavericks looked as old and creaky as they have at any point in the Dirk Nowitzki era. They were getting out-hustled, out-run, out-gunned, out-blocked and out-dunked.

They looked tired. Decrepit. Unathletic. Unexciting.

Meanwhile 22-year-old Gerald Green has as much raw athleticism and explosiveness as any player in the National Basketball Association, and that’s not even a bold statement. It’s just a fact: the young man is spectacularly gifted. If you’re a Boston Celtics or Minnesota Timberwolves fan, or if you’ve watched either of the last two NBA Dunk contests (one of which Green won), you know this. Unfortunately for Gerald there’s more to professional basketball than high-flying acrobatics with the ball in your hands. There’s also a little something called defense, and it’s this phase of the game which has completely escaped him to date.

Count me among those who believe the kid can still become a passable defender, and that with a modest improvement there his offensive talent can more than outweigh those shortcomings. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: given 30+ minutes Gerald Green can be an 18+ PPG scorer in the next few seasons (he’s averaged 16 points in 29 career starts). The 6-8 swingman has the necessary skills: a feathery outside jumper, explosive leaping ability, a quick first step, good size and the capability to rise over defenders, a desire to be great (on offense) and the ability to stop-and-pop on a dime. That raw agility, quickness and athleticism also means he could become at least a serviceable defender with the proper coaching and work ethic.

37-year-old Eddie Jones has exercised the option on his contract (even if Dallas wishes he hadn’t) so he’ll be back for a 15th season. The Mavs shouldn’t expect much from Jones. He’s no longer a plus defender, he can’t stay healthy and on offense he shot a putrid 36.7% FGs, 71.4% FTs and 29.3% from three-point range. The man is done. The 34-year-old Jerry Stackhouse is falling off a cliff nearly as fast. Josh Howard disappeared in the playoffs, and he’s rumored to be on the trading block after his public admission of marijuana use during the playoffs drew the ire of the franchise. The swingman situation in Dallas is dire. On top of that, this team needs to get younger and start to play for the post-Jason Kidd era, which will begin the day their season ends in 2008-09.

Who knows if Green will finally get his head screwed on straight after three forgettable years in the league, but it won’t cost the Mavs much to give him a shot. Given his proclivity for dramatic aerial assault, if Gerald Green earns his minutes I have no doubt he will quickly become a fan favorite. And it’s not like Green is a locker-room cancer or has significant off-court troubles, so the risk is very small. The rewards are potentially great.

Related: Gerald Green, Dallas Mavericks, DeSagana Diop, Dirk Nowitzki