Danny Green Reflects on Sixers Stint During ‘Hectic’ Cavs Debut

The veteran sharpshooter Danny Green was going through a lot on Wednesday. Not only was he returning to the Wells Fargo Center for the first time since the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2022 playoff run, but he was making his debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time in his career.

“It's a crazy hectic day,” Green said on Wednesday night ahead of tip-off. “It's a welcome back on two parts. Welcome back to Cleveland. Welcome back to Philly.”

During the 2009-2010 NBA season, Green appeared in 20 games for the Cavaliers. At the time, he averaged just six minutes on the court as a 22-year-old rookie second-round pick. Fast forward 13 years and three championships later, and Green is back with the Cavaliers at age 35, bringing veteran leadership and experience to a young and contending squad.

“It happened very quickly,” Green explained. “Got the news Sunday, pretty much had to meet the team here yesterday. I'm excited about it. Excited to play, and I think a big part of it was I thought I was gonna be playing here after the break. I was planning for that, but luckily, I’ve been pushing hard enough to get ready and get back on the floor before the break because I was really looking forward to being on the floor after my rehab process was complete.”

Last year, Green re-signed with the Sixers on a two-year contract. After spending his first year on the deal in Philly, the 76ers traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2022 NBA Draft to land the young veteran, De’Anthony Melton.

While Green spent the first half of the 2022-2023 season with the Grizzlies’ organization while rehabbing from a major knee injury, Green was dealt at the trade deadline to a rebuilding Houston Rockets team. Shortly after, he parted ways with the organization and reunited with the Cavs, where it all started.

Before taking the floor with the Cavs for the first time since April 11, 2010, Green reflected on his time as a member of the 76ers.

“It was great, man. I got a chance to be closer to home. Some new family members, some brothers, my teammates, guys I haven’t had a chance to play with in a couple of years, guys I had a chance to play with, Joel, James, guys that I’ve always looked forward to playing with,” Green said. “Made some good rapport with some fans a little bit. Did some podcasting, explored the city and restaurants. We had a chance to do something special in the two years I was here. The first year we lost in the second round. I got hurt, but we could have easily been a contender. We were a contending team. Then in the second year, we had a good run.”

Green came to the Sixers with title aspirations. Unfortunately, the Sixers came up short in both playoff runs, and Green suffered injuries in back-to-back years, with last season’s setback being the most significant of his career.

While Green admitted that it was tough to watch his team come up short — especially when he couldn’t do much else to help due to physical setbacks — he enjoyed his time with the Sixers and hopes for the best for the organization.

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