3 Cleveland Cavaliers who definitely won’t be back next season

Apr 21, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guards Donovan Mitchell (45) and Caris LeVert (3) react during the fourth quarter of game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guards Donovan Mitchell (45) and Caris LeVert (3) react during the fourth quarter of game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Danny Green (14) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Danny Green (14) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Danny Green

Danny Green was a trade deadline addition, casting around for some additional, stop me if you’ve heard this before — shooting and floor spacing. Over the past decade, Green has become the template for a high-level 3-and-D guard, winning titles with the Spurs, Raptors and Lakers while filling that role.

However, Green is now 35 and clearly not the same player. He appeared in just eight games for the Cavs after the trade deadline, and while he hit 13-of-29 from beyond the arc in those games, he was just 1-of-4 in 40 minutes against the Knicks. He may still be a viable spot-up shooter but age and injury have sapped his availability and defensive impact.

Green is an unrestricted free agent and will likely get a look from a few different contenders (both actual and fringe) who need some shooting and veteran experience off the bench. But the Cavaliers need a lot more than present-day Green — they need Green from four or five years ago, and they are probably better off seeking more robust solutions this offseason.

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