Luka Dončić brands Josh Green toughest defender

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NBA superstar and the league’s leading scorer, Luka Dončić, has labelled Josh Green the toughest Australian defender he’s gone up against during his All-NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks and soon-to-be Los Angeles Lakers.

Dončić, 26, who was teammates with Green on the Dallas Mavericks between 2020 and 2024, was asked during All-Star Weekend who was the toughest he’d faced, and he instantly said: “Josh Green”.

Green, 25, now plays for the Charlotte Hornets alongside former NBL Next Star LaMelo Ball, but came into the league with the 18th pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

He was traded to the Hornets in July 2024 as part of a six-team sign-and-trade between the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Historically, it was the NBA's first six-team deal.

Key Details: Josh Green

• ‍Position: Shooting Guard
• ‍Height: 1.98 m
• ‍Weight: 95 kg
• ‍Born: November 16, 2000 – Sydney, Australia
• ‍Draft: 2020 NBA Draft – Round 1, Pick 18 (Dallas Mavericks)

Green has evolved from a developmental first-round pick into a reliable two-way wing capable of starting or anchoring a bench unit. His efficiency remains his calling card – particularly as a catch-and-shoot threat and transition finisher.

At 25, he remains in his prime development window as a high-value rotation guard in the NBA.

NBA Career (2020–Present)

Regular Season (6 Seasons)

• ‍Games: 322
• ‍Starts: 129
• ‍Minutes: 21.5 mpg
• ‍Points: 6.5 ppg
• ‍Rebounds: 2.6 rpg
• ‍Assists: 1.5 apg
• ‍FG: 48.1%
• ‍3PT: 38.6%
• ‍FT: 69.7%
• ‍eFG%: 57.4%

By Team

Dallas Mavericks (2020–2024)

‍223 games │ 20.3 mpg │ 6.4 ppg │ 2.7 rpg │ 1.5 apg │ 50.3% FG │ 37.5% 3PT

Charlotte Hornets (2024–Present)

‍99 games │ 24.1 mpg │ 6.6 ppg │ 2.3 rpg │ 1.4 apg │ 43.4% FG │ 40.2% 3PT

Season-by-Season Progression

2020–21 (Rookie – Dallas)

39 games │ 11.4 mpg │ 2.6 ppg

Development year adjusting to NBA pace.

2021–22 (Dallas)

67 games │ 15.5 mpg │ 4.8 ppg

His field-goal efficiency jumped to 50.8%.

2022–23 (Breakout – Dallas)

60 games │ 25.7 mpg │ 9.1 ppg53.7% FG │ 40.2% 3PT

Career-high scoring season with expanded rotation role.

2023–24 (Dallas)

57 games │ 26.4 mpg │ 8.2 ppg

Career-best 2.3 assists per game.

2024–25 (Charlotte – Full-Time Starter)

68 games (67 starts) │ 27.8 mpg │ 7.4 ppg (39.1% from three) │ 1.1 steals per game

Primary perimeter defender.

2025–26 (Charlotte – to date)

31 games │ 16.1 mpg │ 4.6 ppg (44.0% from three) │ 87.5% FT

Bench role adjustment season.

NBA Playoffs Appearances

3 Postseason Appearances (Dallas)

‍39 games │ 13.4 mpg │ 3.4 ppg │ 34.6% 3PT

Most impactful playoff run came in 2023–24: 22 games │ 18.1 mpg │ 5.0 ppg │ 39.0% from three.

Statistical Trends

• FG% consistently strong for a guard (career 48.1%)
• Three-point accuracy improving (38.6% career)
• Assist growth peaked at 2.3 apg
• Usage fluctuates with role
• Defensive metrics strengthened in Charlotte

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Australian Boomers

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (played 2021)

‍5 games │ 1.2 PPG │ 0.8 RPG │ 0.0 APG │ 2.0 EFF

FIBA World Cup 2023

‍5 games │ 8.2 PPG │ 2.0 RPG │ 1.4 APG │ 9.8 EFF

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

‍4 games │ 0.0 PPG │ 0.5 RPG │ 1.3 APG │ 0.3 EFF

Boomers Career Totals

14 games

‍3.4 PPG │ 1.1 RPG │ 0.9 APG │ 4.3 EFF

Role Evolution

• ‍2021 – Development piece within veteran core
• ‍2023 – Offensive spark at World Cup level
• 2024 – Situational defender in Olympic rotation

Green’s international career reflects his NBA arc – a high-motor wing capable of spacing the floor and defending multiple positions. His largest impact came during the 2023 World Cup when his scoring punch and athleticism were most visible.