- **Jason Kidd’s Bold Strategy Could Rescue Beloved Maverick from Becoming Trade Bait**
When the Dallas Mavericks exited the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals in a gut-wrenching Game 6 loss to the Phoenix Suns, the offseason narrative quickly shifted from playoff heartbreak to potential roster upheaval. Amid the flurry of trade rumors and speculative headlines, one name surfaced with surprising frequency: Josh Green.
The 24-year-old Australian swingman, once hailed as the Mavs’ defensive glue and energy spark plug, had become an unwitting focal point in hypothetical trade packages. Whether it was for a disgruntled All-Star or a rim-running big man, Green’s name was repeatedly floated as the sweetener — a high-upside, cost-controlled piece teams would covet.
But Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd had other ideas.
Inside the walls of the Mavericks’ training facility in Frisco, Kidd was quietly crafting a strategy not to ship Green out, but to elevate him — to transform him from trade bait into a vital core contributor.
**The Gamble**
“He’s not on the block,” Kidd told reporters during exit interviews. “He’s on the rise.”
Kidd’s declaration was met with polite skepticism. After all, Green’s 2024–25 campaign had been uneven. He started strong, shooting 41% from three over the first 30 games, but a midseason elbow injury disrupted his rhythm. He returned in February, but by then, rookie phenom Derek Lively II had stolen much of the team’s
