Green signs & officially joins Mavs

Contrary to some reports in the Dallas area, Gerald Green doesn’t have to wait until July 9 to sign with the Mavs. The swingman, who will wear No. 8, inked his deal last night and will join the Mavs summer league team.

Here’s part of the story available at mavs.com:

An injection of youth and athleticism arrives in the form of Gerald Green, a former Slam Dunk Contest champ who signed a one-year deal with the Mavericks on Wednesday. The former first-round pick is only 22 years old and averaged more than 10 points per game just two seasons ago.

“We’re really excited about the addition of Gerald Green to the Mavericks family,” president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said Thursday morning. “He possesses youth, athleticism and is a young player we think has real upside.”

Green (6-8, 200) played for three teams – Boston, Minnesota and Houston – during his first three years in the league. He jumped directly from high school to the NBA back in 2005 as the 18th overall pick, and that element should bring a smile to the face of Jason Kidd and Rick Carlisle.

The high-flyer won the dunk title during All-Star Weekend back in 2007. The sight of Green taking a lob from Kidd on the break no doubt played into the Mavs’ thinking. But the Houston native has shown flashes of being more than just a one-trick pony.

“He can get up and down the court, fill the lanes and has real solid range,” Nelson said. “We feel after he has the chance to work with Rick, we can develop a good system for Gerald. He’s a threat from 3-point range.

“Having the opportunity to play with a guy like Jason Kidd will simplify things and that certainly has a place with young, developing players.”