The news came out on Wednesday morning that Dallas shooting guard Monta Ellis is opting out of the final year of his contract to become a free agent. This pretty much means Ellis is gone, as the Mavericks have no plans to give him a raise. Assuming Monta leaves as he is expected to, the Mavs will need a shooting guard to replace him. Apparently, they’re eyeing Spurs’ shooting guard Danny Green.
From Shams Charania of RealGM:
As Monta Ellis pursues a new deal on the east coast, the Dallas Mavericks are targeting San Antonio Spurs free agent Danny Green, league sources told RealGM.
Ellis plans to discuss a long-term contract with the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat in free agency after opting out of the final year of his contract on Wednesday, sources told RealGM. He had an option worth $8.72 million.
I don’t know if Green would leave a San Antonio system that is at least partially responsible for his success. However, that Spurs system is aging with its players. The Spurs showed their mortality this postseason when they fell to the Clippers in an exciting first round series. So, perhaps Green would be willing to leave for the right price. But what is that price? He made around $4 million last season, but he’s going to be looking to get paid after establishing himself as one of the premiere 3-and-D players in the NBA.
From Charania:
As the prime template of a three-and-defense player in today’s NBA, Green could command around $10 to $12 million as an unrestricted free agent, a former second-round NBA draft selection who will land his first major contract.
Charania is likely right. Green is one of the best shooters in the league and is a criminally underrated perimeter defender. This year he broke the Spurs’ single-season record for three-pointers made in a season. The Mavs could definitely use Green’s shooting and defense, but so could most teams(including San Antonio). So, we’ll have to wait and see where Danny Green ends up.
