Cavs’ Danny Green Considers Sixers Trade ‘Blessing in Disguise’

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran Danny Green had nothing but great memories when he reflected on his two-year stint with the Philadelphia 76ers this week. Although there were feelings of disappointment in the fact the Sixers couldn’t get past the second round of the playoffs over the last two years, Green enjoyed his time in Philly overall.

The way he went out wasn’t ideal, though. During a Game 6 battle against the Miami Heat at home, Green went down with a knee injury in the first half of the elimination matchup. While he returned to the bench for the final stretch, Green was sporting street clothes, a full leg brace, and using crutches for assistance.

ACL surgery was required during the offseason. Typically, surgery to repair an ACL tear would sideline a player for the entire next season. However, Green had a plan to return around the All-Star break. Would it be with the Sixers, who he was under contract with for the 2022-2023 season? Or another team? Green wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t stressing the uncertainty in that department.

“It was rough, especially the first couple of months,” Green said regarding his recovery. “It takes a lot of mental stability and a lot of mental strength, but I had a good group, and a lot of people came in to help get me back on the floor as quickly as I have.”

Not long after Green expressed uncertainty about his future with the Sixers, the veteran was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the offseason. While many might’ve assumed that getting traded during the rehab process after inking a two-year contract with the Sixers would be disappointing, Green actually saw the situation differently.

“I think the hurt part was more disappointing,” Green admitted. “The trade part was a blessing in disguise for the fact that I was non-guaranteed. My contract wasn’t guaranteed, so I was able to find a team that was interested and also wanted to rehab me and wanted my presence around until I pick up my contract. So, I was just happy about that. In the NBA, on any roster, it’s Christmas every day. So, it’s a blessing.”

With aspirations of becoming true title contenders in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers needed immediate contributors to help them out from the start of the 2022-2023 season. Green, who had several months of rehab ahead, couldn’t offer Philadelphia that. Memphis, on the other hand, could.

“Memphis did an amazing job with my rehab,” said Green. “It was a great place. They treated me well. I loved it. So I give thanks to all those people that made it possible for me being on the floor today.”

Although Green’s time with Memphis lasted just a few games when he finally got healthy, he doesn’t have any hard feelings towards the Grizzlies’ organization after getting traded either. After parting ways with the Houston Rockets following the trade, Green reached a deal to join the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, the veteran is happy to have a role on a young team that hopes to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.