Tag: Danny Green

Danny Green on why he didn’t join Lakers after being bought out

Former Lakers wing Danny Green gave what he felt was a reasonable explanation as to why he didn’t rejoin the team as a free agent last week.

The Los Angeles Lakers are much deeper and younger and have a much more balanced roster than they did two weeks ago, thanks to two trades they made in the final hours before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Although their current roster, in time, could become a contender once it jells (likely not until next season though), it may need one more piece in order to do so.

After veteran 3-and-D wing Danny Green was bought out by the Houston Rockets, some Lakers fans thought he might have been the missing piece. Instead of coming to L.A., he decided to join the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that badly needed such a player.

On the podcast “Inside the Green Room,” Green explained why he turned down the opportunity to join the Purple and Gold (h/t Sports Illustrated).

“I don’t think they had the opportunity or the same opportunity with all the wings they brought in and all the people they brought in. I don’t think they were able to say you’ll be in a good opportunity to be on the floor and that we’re for sure going to make the playoffs. So it was very up in the air and it’s a very urgent time for them. They have to win now and they have a lot of pressure doing that in a short amount of time.”

Green was a key member of the 2019-20 Lakers team that won the NBA championship. He started all 68 of the contests he played in.

He suffered a torn ACL in last spring’s playoffs, so one has to wonder if he will ever be the same player again, especially at age 35.

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Danny Green opens up on time with Sixers, James Harden, his rehab

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Danny Green opens up on his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, what he sees from James Harden, and his rehab.

PHILADELPHIA — The last time Danny Green was on the floor at the Wells Fargo Center, he took a hard fall in Game 6 of the 2022 Eastern Conference semifinals and had Joel Embiid fall on him. The veteran tore his ACL, and, at age 35, it seemed likely to be the end of his career.

The Sixers traded Green to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night in exchange for De’Anthony Melton. Green was expected to miss the entire season. Instead, he rehabbed hard and made his debut for the Grizzlies on Feb. 1.

With Memphis going in a different direction, they sent Green to the Houston Rockets, who waived him. Green signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before Wednesday’s Sixers win over the Cavs, Green talked about his time in Philadelphia, what he has seen from James Harden in the 2022-23 season, and other topics.

Danny Green explains decision to seek contract buyout from Rockets

In his latest podcast, veteran NBA guard Danny Green explains his decision to secure a contract buyout from the Houston Rockets.

When the Houston Rockets acquired NBA veteran Danny Green in a three-way trade sending Eric Gordon to the Los Angeles Clippers, it was clear the deal’s primary incentive was draft compensation. Green was included for salary matching purposes.

Although the Rockets are rebuilding, they said they were open to keeping Green as a veteran influence for their younger players, should the fit be mutually acceptable to both sides. It wasn’t for Green, and a contract buyout resulted.

On his “Inside the Green Room” podcast, Green explained the thought process behind that decision. Among his comments:

Houston took an interest in me. I appreciate them for trading for me. They said they liked me and wanted to keep me on board, but they weren’t willing to offer an extension at the time.

That’s why it was like ‘Well, you know, if I’m going to be part of a rebuild, I need to know that I’m going to be here for some time. If I’m not getting that security right away, then let me explore my options with other groups or play for teams where I have a playoff chance. Where I can be in the postseason and keep myself relevant enough to play meaningful basketball and get another contract with a good contender or team.’

So when it didn’t work out in Houston — they talked, we discussed — they parted ways in a good, cordial manner. It took a couple days, but we got it done.

Green, who agreed to a deal with Cleveland after securing that buyout, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

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Houston Rockets finalizing buyout with Danny Green; Boston Celtics among front-runners to sign him

The Celtics have until Mar. 10 to add a player in free agency for them to be able to play with the club in the postseason.

The Houston Rockets are finalizing a buyout for veteran forward Danny Green according to new reporting from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as front-runners to sign him, according to Woj. Those clubs are not alone in their pursuit of the 35-year-old forward.

According to the ESPN analyst, the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are also involved. It remains unclear what his deciding factors might be, but with the $3.2 million disabled player exception created after the loss of Danilo Gallinari in the 2022 offseason, Boston can offer a free agent more than its competitors.

If it is role that Green is after, he would likely see more floor time with the Cavs, a team somewhat thin on the wing.

The Celtics have until March 10 to add a player in free agency and have him able to play with the club in the postseason.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Podcast: Why Rafael Stone and Tilman Fertitta were trade deadline winners

With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leaving Brooklyn and Eric Gordon traded for first-round value, the 2023 NBA trade deadline was a successful one for #Rockets management.

The 2022-23 NBA trade deadline came and went, and major changes came with it for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets.

Veteran guard Eric Gordon is finally with a contender (the Los Angeles Clippers). Reserves Garrison Mathews and Bruno Fernando are out the door as well (Atlanta). For general manager Rafael Stone, both deals were made with draft capital in mind.

Sunday’s episode of “The Lager Line” (sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing) explains why Stone and owner Tilman Fertitta deserve praise for what became a successful week for the franchise in its ongoing rebuilding efforts.

The show, hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, also explores the ripple effects of Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn departure and whether it should make the Rockets more or less likely to hold those first-round draft assets from the Nets, which last through the 2027 cycle.

Sunday’s full podcast can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Reports: Rockets, Danny Green reach contract buyout agreement

With the #Rockets and Danny Green agreeing to a contract buyout, Houston now has an open spot on its 2022-23 roster. It remains to be seen whether Rafael Stone will choose to fill it.

In his post-trade deadline press conference on Friday, Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone made it clear he was open-minded to keeping newly acquired veteran Danny Green around for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. He also, however, left the door open for a split, depending on Green’s wishes.

Later that day, fellow deadline acquisitions Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky were with the Rockets in Miami and dressed out, but Green was not present. Now, there seems to be an explanation.

As first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Green agreed to a contract buyout with the Rockets. Because Green’s contract expires after the 2022-23 season, there is no long-term impact to Houston’s salary cap picture or long-term financial planning.

While Green was acquired by Houston in the three-team trade sending Eric Gordon to the Los Angeles Clippers, he was involved largely for salary matching purposes. The primary incentive for that trade was the 2023 first-round draft swap right obtained from the Clippers in that deal.

With three players (Gordon, Bruno Fernando and Garrison Mathews) sent out at the deadline and only Holiday and Kaminsky likely sticking around, Houston has an open roster spot. It remains to be seen whether the Rockets will fill it as the 2022-23 season winds down.

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2022-2023 Houston Rockets roster after the trade deadline

Here’s where the #Rockets stand with their roster, coaching staff, and basketball operations department as the 2022-23 season winds down and a critical 2023 offseason approaches.

After the February 2023 trade deadline, the Houston Rockets remain one of the NBA’s youngest teams. Yet, they have something of a veteran presence after adding Danny Green, Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky as part of their complicated web of transactions.

While none has a contract beyond the 2022-23 season, the Rockets will acquire Bird rights for each. Thus, general manager Rafael Stone will have options moving forward.

By and large, the rebuilding Rockets have prioritized youth and salary flexibility in building their current group.

That’s why it’s a combination of highly touted prospects Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. along with veterans Danny Green, Holiday and Kaminsky expiring salaries. Sengun and Smith are on their initial NBA contracts, which inherently makes them cheaper for the time being.

That formula is likely to change this offseason, when Stone and the Rockets have approximately $60 million in salary cap space to build a roster around those talented young prospects. They will need to explore contract extensions and raises for many of their young players in the coming years. For now, they’re making the best of another challenging season by staying flexible with the roster.

Here’s a look at where the Houston roster and basketball operations staff currently stands, along with jersey numbers and other relevant information for each player. All ages are as of Feb. 14, 2023.

Lakers are interested in buyout candidate Danny Green

The Lakers reportedly have interest in bringing back a key contributor to their 2020 championship team.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster looks very different now than it did 72 hours ago, not to mention much stronger and deeper, thanks to two trades they made.

They have improved 3-point shooting thanks to D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba, as well as better defense, especially in the paint, by virtue of acquiring both Bamba and Jarred Vanderbilt.

It will take a while for the Lakers to integrate their newcomers, but in time, they could have a very good team, if not a title contender.

Their one remaining roster role appears to be a 3-and-D wing who can comfortably play both the shooting guard and small forward positions.

Los Angeles is reportedly interested in filling that hole by signing Danny Green should he get bought out by the Houston Rockets.

Green played that 3-and-D role very well three seasons ago for the Lakers when they won the NBA championship. He was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2020 offseason before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

The 6-foot-6 wing had been out until very recently due to a torn ACL he sustained in the Eastern Conference semifinals last string, and he has played in only three contests so far this season.

But if Green can still provide the type of defense and 3-point shooting he gave L.A. during its championship season, he could fit the bill once again for the Purple and Gold.

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Woj: Boston Celtics have great interest in signing Danny Green if bought out

Boston is not alone in their pursuit, however, per Woj.

According to senior ESPN writer Adrian Wojnarowski on a recent episode of “NBA Today,” veteran forward Danny Green is a name to watch for the Boston Celtics if he is bought out by the Houston Rockets.

Green, who was dealt from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Memphis Grizzlies after a gruesome knee injury, was again dealt to Houston at the deadline.

Per Woj, Green hopes to be released, and “Cleveland and Los Angeles” may also be in the running to sign the veteran wing.

The ESPN analyst did not make it clear which Los Angeles club he meant, but both the Lakers and Clippers made moves at the deadline in the hope of a deep postseason run.

For the Cavs, the logic seems to be adding veteran presence at a position of need, and for Boston, while the role might be the smallest, the odds of adding another ring (and more money if the disabled player exception the team possesses is used) could tilt the odds toward the Celtics in the race for Green’s services.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Best post-trade deadline Boston Celtics wing buyout targets

Now that the dust has settled and it’s clear the Celtics are looking to add wing depth via a buyout signing, here are our favorite targets.

With the Boston Celtics trading for veteran Oklahoma City Thunder big man Mike Muscala in their sole move at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, the need to fortify the club’s frontcourt has diminished.

But if the team hopes to make the postseason with their star wings healthy and with fresh legs, adding another body off the buyout market to bolster the team’s wing depth ought to be Boston’s next priority.

While it is not yet clear whether the better candidates for what the Celtics are after will even be bought out at the time of writing, we have identified a handful of prospects Boston’s front office ought to be inquiring after.

Larger wings able to play more than one position should be the focus of any buyout signing, and the disabled player exception granted to the team after Danilo Gallinari’s injury gives Boston an edge as a contending squad.