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Cavs sign Javonte Green after he clears waivers after Pelicans contract buyout
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- Cavs sign Javonte Green after he clears waivers after Pelicans contract buyout
The Cavaliers have completed their pursuit of Javonte Green , announcing Sunday they signed the veteran for depth at wing.
Last week, Green agreed to a contract buyout with the New Orleans Pelicans and then cleared waivers. News of his intent to sign with the Eastern Conference-leading Cavs (46-10) emerged Wednesday night.
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The Cavs were widely expected to be active on the NBA's buyout market, even though their most significant in-season acquisition by far had already occurred when they traded for a higher-profile wing, De'Andre Hunter . In exchange for Hunter , the Cavs gave the Atlanta Hawks guard Caris LeVert , forward Georges Niang , three second-round draft selections and two pick swaps shortly before the league's trade deadline expired Feb. 6.
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New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green (4) reacts to making a 3-pointer against the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 13, 2025, in New Orleans.
What did Javonte Green say about signing with the Cleveland Cavs ?
Green joined the Cavs for shootaround Sunday morning and spoke to reporters afterward. He explained the Cavs appealed to him because of their "winning culture," and other teams had courted him before and after the trade deadline.
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"I had teams interested in the trade part of it, and then, like, after the trade didn't go through, having teams that were around listening, and I just felt like here was the best fit for me," Green said.
Green, 31, said he intends to provide the Cavs with energy and toughness.
"It's nothing that they're missing or anything — just something that my game brings," Green said.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green (4) shoots a 3-pointer as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defends on Jan. 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Green became familiar with Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson last season. Green underwent right knee surgery in January 2023 (arthroscopic debridement, according to the Chicago Tribune) and played his first minutes last season with the NBA G League's Santa Cruz Warriors on Feb. 7, 2024.
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Atkinson spent the past three seasons as a Golden State Warriors assistant coach, so he and Green met as members as the same organization.
"We had conversations," Green said. "He just seen how hard I was working to get back to where I am now."
Said Atkinson: "I always had him in the back of my mind. [I told myself], 'Man, if he ever comes available, he's a guy that could help us and give us great insurance.'"
Green said Atkinson's commitment to connect with players off the court translates to trust in games. They have yet to discuss how much Green will play for the Cavs because the focus has been elsewhere thus far.
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"We haven't really talked about that," Green said. "We were just talking about, like, life, period.
"Being in a position I was in last year, just trying to rehab and get my body right, just working on my mental, you know, he was there for that, just making sure I was OK in that aspect."
Chicago Bulls forward Javonte Green (24) warms up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 7, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.
What are Javonte Green's stats?
With the Pelicans, Green appeared in 50 games this season and started 18. He is averaging 5.8 points on 44.6% shooting from the field (35.2% on 3-pointers), 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.1 steals.
On Feb. 13, Green played a season-high 34 minutes and compiled nine points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field, seven rebounds, five steals, two assists and a blocked shot in the Pelicans' 140-133 victory over the Sacramento Kings . It was his final game with New Orleans .
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"He's a possession getter," Atkinson said. "He's a steals guy, he rebounds, all for wings, probably 90th and above percentile. ... It's [us] stockpiling another wing that can defend elite wings in this league. But he adds a little different touch 'cause he's so active with his hands. He's a high steal guy and really probably an underestimated athlete."
What is Javonte Green's height?
Green is listed as 6 feet, 5 inches and 205 pounds.
This is Green's sixth season in the NBA. The Virginia native has also played for the Boston Celtics (2019-21) and Chicago Bulls (2021-24). His career averages in the regular season are 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.8 steals. He has appeared in six playoff games, averaging 1.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.5 steals.
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Green entered the league in 2019 when the Celtics signed him as an undrafted free agent from Radford University who had played professionally overseas from 2015-19. The Celtics traded him, Daniel Theis and cash to the Bulls for Luke Kornet in 2021.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs sign Javonte Green after he clears waivers
