Toronto Raptors: Potential suitors for Danny Green this offseason

Danny Green was a huge part of the Toronto Raptors success last season. Now a free agent, who are some other potential suitors?

The Toronto Raptors are fresh off winning the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy. But while the entire nation of Canada celebrates, team executives are back at work ensuring that they have a squad with the talent to go back-to-back.

NBA free agency begins shortly and the Raptors have some players who could test their market. Luckily, most of the team has a high percentage to return next season. This will allow the office to concentrate on putting their best pitch forward to Kawhi Leonard and make a determination on Danny Green.

Green had an incredible season. He posted some of, if not his best, stats of his career. Green averaged 10.3 points, four rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

He did most of his work beyond the arc, stretching the floor for his teammates. He had 5.4 three-point attempts per game and converted on 2.5 of them. That’s equates to a remarkable 45.5-percent, the best he’s ever posted. Green owned the second highest three-point shooting percentage in the league last season. Only Joe Harris, a small forward with the Brooklyn Nets, was better, at 47.4-percent.

The Raptors’ shooting guard also makes an impact on the other end of the floor. He didn’t quite make an All-Defensive team this season but was the next highest vote getter, missing the second-team by just one spot.

This allows Green to remain a value to his team even when he is having an off night. Such was the case for Green in the 2019 playoffs. Despite his propensity to torch his opponents in the regular season, his stroke failed him in the postseason.

Green’s postseason three-point percentage dropped to under 33-percent. Against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, that percentage dropped to a miserable 17-percent. If you take out his 6-10 Game 3 performance, he shot below 27-percent from three during the Finals. Essentially, Green went MIA for the Raptors two biggest series of the season.

Deciding his value, may hinge on how much teams value those two series against his larger body of work.

The Raptors are one of the teams that will be in discussion with Green’s representatives. Masai Ujiri has already made clear that he wants to “bring everybody back”.

This past season Green earned $10 million. All signs point to him making at least that number next year. A shorter term may mean an increase in his average salary while an extended term could reduce his average sum but carries stability and job security.

With the Raptors set to pay a SIGNFICIANT tax bill next season, every dollar Green earns would be a huge cost to the franchise.

Green has spoken to the media about his impending desires. In a recent interview, the sharpshooter was asked, “How do you go about coming to your decision for next year?” His response was telling:

"“I think it’s time to wait and see what the movement is. Obviously, I want to be in a situation where I can play and be effective of course. But winning has always been my thing. Obviously, that movement and trades of where people go affects that and it changes a lot of people’s decisions so hopefully, I’ll take my time, not rush into it, evaluate my options and see what happens. You know obviously, Toronto is the first option. We’ll see if everyone comes back I’d love to run it back but if that doesn’t happen, we’ll figure it out from there.”"

Green should be taken at his word that he wants to remain a Raptor. With the opportunity to continue to be a winner, it is worthwhile trying to find common ground. Should that not be possible, Green will have many suitors.

Other possible suitors

Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers may be the frontrunners to score Green as they would benefit having a player of his skill set. The Lakers desperately missed outside shooting last year and paid the price for it.

James is at his best when surrounded by shooters. If the Lakers are unable to land another maximum free-agent — the likely scenario at this point — they’ll be looking for other starters capable of lighting it up from beyond the arc and defending on the perimeter. Danny Green provides exactly that.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks would be a good fit for Green. After they traded Harrison Barnes to the Sacramento Kings their three-point shooting dipped. With the pair of Kristaps Porzingis and Rookie of the Year Luka Dončić already in place to terrorize defences, Green could be a veteran addition that helps lift the Mavs to be a credible threat in the west.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are in danger of losing their All-Star small forward, Khris Middleton. The Bucks like firing from outside and took more wide open threes than any other team. Should they lose Middleton they may want to try and find someone who is also not afraid to trigger from distance. Green provides a lesser skillset than Middleton, but would come at a much cheaper price-tag.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have an apparent interest in kicking the tires on Green. Though their primary target in free agency is Jimmy Butler, they would like someone on the perimeter who can drain threes. They are supposedly interested in either Green or Jeremy Lamb.

Houston is currently well above the cap, but Daryl Morey is one of the most creative executives in the NBA, and if he wants Green, will find a way to clear the space.

Stays with Kawhi

Another possible scenario is that Green remains attached to Leonard. With the Clippers working hard to poach the Klaw from the Raptors, they may also want to bring in the Green Ranger. Not only could it bring comfort to Leonard to have someone with whom he’s familiar but it would also continue to compliment both their games.

If Leonard returns to the Raptors, Green may prove to expensive for ownership. A team may be willing to overpay for his services or at least be more flexible on their negotiations. MLSE could be fearing the luxury tax implications of a big deal, which would impact the offer they put forward.

At this point, the only thing left to do is wait and see. In what could be the NBA’s most riveting offseason, Green will be a player to watch.