It's Official: Cavaliers Sign Danny Green

Green was originally drafted by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft

Author:
Jon Rudder
Feb 15, 2023 9:34 AM EST

In this story:

The Cleveland Cavaliers made the news that many had been expecting and even anticipating official on Wednesday morning, signing Danny Green after he was waived by the Houston Rockets.

The move is a homecoming of sorts for Green, who was originally drafted by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft. Prior to the Cavs' tipoff with the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was asked a hypothetical question about what the addition of a veteran player like Green would mean to the Cavs.

"Having people that you can lean on and depend on as a young player that's going to be in situation's that maybe they've never been in before," Bickerstaff said. "But then you obviously have the ability to put that guy on the floor, who's still capable of making shots and guarding his position which we know in the playoffs is a premium."

The "hypothetical" question was posed to Bickerstaff in part because a deal had yet to be finalized, but it nonetheless provided an insightful moment into the organization's motivation for acquiring Green.

Teammates took to social media to express their thoughts on acquiring the three-time NBA champion when the news first broke that the Cavaliers were interested in acquiring Green.

"He's a guy I grew up watching. I remember watching him dancing on the bench with LeBron and what not. I remember him watching him against the Heat, breaking Ray Allen's three point record,” Mitchell said following the Cavs 117-109 win over San Antonio.

"I think the first thing you think of is this way he spaces the floor, but also his veteran presence from the locker room. He's a calming presence, a great personality."

Green appeared in three games this season with the Memphis Grizzlies before he was traded to Houston as part of a three-team deal on February 9th. The Rockets waived Green three days later on on February 12th.

Over his 14-year NBA career, Green has played in 822 games with Memphis, Philadelphia, L.A. Lakers, Toronto, San Antonio and Cleveland, owning career averages of 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.03 steals in 25.3 minutes per-game. He also has a career shooting percentage of 39% from long range.

Green has made at least 100 three-pointers in 11 of his 14 seasons and his 1,465 career three-pointers rank 14th among active NBA players. Additionally, he has appeared in 165 career playoff games, the third-most of any active NBA player, behind only LeBron James (266) and Andre Iguodala (177).

A three-time NBA Champion with the Spurs, Raptors and Lakers (2014, 2019, 2020) and one of just four players in NBA history to win championships with three different franchises.

The Cavaliers brought Green in for precisely those two reasons: his shooting and leadership for this final push to the playoffs.

"You know when he gets in you know he's a sniper, especially in big time situations," Mitchell said. "He's done it year in and year out."

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