Philadelphia 76ers bring back Danny Green for 2023-24 season
Late on Tuesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers added a former shooting guard to the roster for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Danny Green will be returning to the City of Brotherly Love on a one-year deal.
Free agent G Danny Green has agreed on a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, agent Sam Permut of @RocNationSports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2023
Green had some productive years with the Philadelphia 76ers, starting more than 60 games in each of his two full seasons with the team and averaging around 7.5 points and 3 rebounds per game during those two years. Green is known as a 3-and-D guy, for his ability to knockdown three-point shots and guard perimeter players on the defensive end of the floor. However, that style of play usually suits a younger player and Green just turned 36 years old.
Can Green be a difference-maker for the Philadelphia 76ers?
While in Philly, he averaged 39% from three-point range, putting up nearly four per game. That is above the NBA league average, however far from his career-high season of 45.5% in 2019. It is also important to note that Green is a little over a year out from tearing his LCL and ACL which he did during a 2022 playoff game against the Miami Heat when he was playing for the Sixers.
Due to his injury, Green played in only 11 games last season averaging 12 minutes per game so it is unclear if he will be able to get back to a serviceable form as a rotation player in the league. In those 11 games, he shot over 43% from three-point range, but that is too small of a sample size to make any decisions. And his shot is less worrisome to decline with age as his speed and lateral quickness are.
When he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, one and two years ago, it was clear that he was a defensive liability. So age and a severe knee injury have to be very concerning for Sixers’ fans and the front office. Green will be asked to do less on this roster and should not be in the starting lineup so that may offset some concerns. Plus, his presence on the floor as a knockdown shooter keeps defenders honest and gives Joel Embiid much more room to operate in the paint.
Only time will tell if this signing pans out, but as it is likely for the veteran minimum and the contract is only for one year, it appears to be worth the risk for the potential upside.
