Danny Green clears waivers, signs with Cavaliers: 'He'll fit right in'

After clearing waivers following his post-trade buyout from theHouston Rockets, Danny Green has officially signed with theCleveland Cavaliers for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, teampresident Koby Altman announced Wednesday morning.

“Hypothetically, it could mean a lot. It's just there forsupport. And having people that you can lean on and depend on as ayoung player who's going to be in situations that maybe they'venever been in before,” Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff saidwithout acknowledging Green by name on Monday due to NBA tamperingrules.

“Someone who is about the team and who just wants to fit in andbe a part of the group. You can use that experience and you listento those guys. Guys who have been to the mountaintop and wonchampionships and played in those type of games. But then, youobviously have the ability to put that guy on the floor, who'sstill capable of making shots and guarding his position, which, weknow in the playoffs is a premium.”

Green spent a tireless amount of time working his way back froman ACL injury he suffered 10 months ago in the playoffs whileplaying with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers sent Green to theMemphis Grizzlies in a draft-night trade for De’Anthony Melton lastsummer, and the veteran sharpshooter didn’t suit up for theGrizzlies until Feb. 1. Eight days later, Green found himself onthe move again.

At the NBA trade deadline, Memphis dealt the 35-year-old to theRockets as a part of a three-team agreement with the Los AngelesClippers. Luke Kennard landed with the Grizzlies and Eric Gordonended up with the Clippers, while Green and John Wall went toHouston before being let go by the franchise.

Though Green has played a total of three games with Memphis inlimited action, Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell knows whathe’s about and how he can give Cleveland a boost.

“The easy answer would be his shooting. I mean, he's athree-time champion,” Mitchell said of Green after Cleveland’s winon Monday over the San Antonio Spurs. “He is a guy I grew upwatching. I remember watching him dancing on the bench with Bronand whatnot. I remember him, watching him against the (Miami) Heat,breaking Ray Allen's three-point record (for most threes in asingle series). I hated him at the time. But I've known Danny andhis family since I was probably 11 years old, 12 years old. We'veplayed against AAU against his brother (Devonte). I know his dad(Danny Green Sr.). So it's kind of crazy how life works. A lot ofthings come full circle, especially for me this year.

“I think the first thing you think of is his way to space tofloor, but also his veteran presence around the locker room,calming presence, great personality. But when he gets in, he is asniper, especially in big-time situations. He's done it year in andyear out. So there's different things you can point to but thefirst thing I would say is the shooting.”

If the #Cavs were to add a veteran sharpshooter using their openroster spot (maybe someone with three NBA championships, maybesomeone like Danny Green), what would J.B. Bickerstaff think?“Hypothetically, it could mean a lot.” @basketbllnewspic.twitter.com/qDhfiVLmKI

— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) February 13, 2023

Green is just a hair below 40% as a career three-point marksman,having taken nearly five attempts per contest over his 13-year NBAstay. Altman bringing in a wing with size who can drill fromdistance and provide championship experience should prove to bewise. As for Green’s minutes and role — especially for a red-hotCavs team scaling the Eastern Conference standings — that would yetto be determined.

“It would be an early conversation about the role and peopleunderstand when they are coming here what to expect,” Bickerstaffsaid Monday if Cleveland was to add another player to its lockerroom. “I think what we are going through now, and in thatconversation would be, ‘We’re trending in a really good directionand we have to figure the balance between continuing with the groupthat has started to head that way,’ and how you mix in a piece thatcould possibly help you down the road. We will be very ginger withthat because we do not want to disrupt the rhythm of what theseguys are finding right now.”

If anybody knows anything about his professionalism, it’s Spurshead coach Gregg Popovich, who was just in town facing Green’s newteam. The pair won a ring together in the 2014 NBA Finals, whichwould be the first of three title teams (Toronto Raptors in 2019and Los Angeles Lakers in 2020) Green would be a part of.

“A guy that is a very confident shooter, an underrated defenderand a great teammate. He’s fun to be around. He loves playing thegame and he understands his role completely. He’ll fit right in,”Popovich said.

“Just logically, he’s gonna say things. He’ll be great for J.B.to have another person there who’s been through all sorts ofdifferent situations. He’ll talk to somebody on the bus or on theplane. It’s just like osmosis. And so, he’ll provide a lot ofinformation that all the coaches won’t have time for, or they’ll behappy that they’ll have an additional ‘coach’ that knows what’sgoing on. It’s all good, for sure.”

Spotted roaming the hallways at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse onMonday before the deal was made official, Green appears eager tojoin his new group.

This will be Green’s second stint in Cleveland — 14 years afterthe Cavs originally drafted him with the 46th overall pick in the2009 NBA Draft.