RealGM

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.