DALLAS (AP) -Former slam dunk champion Gerald Green signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
The 6-foot-8, 200-pound swingman is known mostly for his exploits in the last two dunk contests, winning it in 2007 and finishing second to Dwight Howard this year. In games that count, he has career averages of 8.1 points and 2.2 rebounds. He's played for Boston, Minnesota and Houston in his three-year career since being drafted 18th overall coming out of high school.
The Mavericks are hoping that pairing Green - who is still only 22 - with Jason Kidd will bring out the best in the former teen prodigy.
``We've wanted to get a little younger, more athletic, especially at 2-3 spot,'' said Donnie Nelson, team president of basketball operations. ``Shoot, the guy was (almost) a lottery pick a few years ago. He's got several years of experience under his belt. This should be his draft year.''
Green averaged 10.4 points in 22 minutes per game with the Celtics in 2007. He was traded to the Timberwolves in the Kevin Garnett deal, then was cut by the Rockets, his hometown team, after playing just one game.
``The hope is that he'll be able to come in and earn the minutes,'' Nelson said. ``Who knows, maybe the light goes on.''
