Cleveland, Ohio. “The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to spot-strengthen their roster ahead of a crucial phase of the season. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the franchise has agreed to sign 31-year-old forward Javonte Green, who terminated his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. After going through the waivers process for the Waveriders, the veteran will join a team in contention for first place in the Eastern Conference.
The move was a response to the growing competition in the league: with a 5.5-game advantage over Boston, the Cavaliers are looking to avoid the risks associated with injuries in the playoffs.
Green’s Career: The Journey from Europe to the Role of Liaison
Green, who began his NBA career in 2019 with the Boston Celtics after four years in Europe, has established himself as a typical “robot all-rounder.” In five seasons, he changed three teams (Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Pelicans), never becoming a star, but everywhere fulfilling clear tasks.
His career numbers speak for themselves:
- 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals in an average of 245 games;
- 44.6 per cent shooting from the field, 35.2 per cent from three;
- 18 starts this season for New Orleans (5.8 points, 3.6 rebounds).
“He’s like a Swiss knife: he doesn’t shine with finesse, but he’s always useful in localised tasks,” was how Green was characterised by his former coach at Chicago, Billy Donovan.
Why Would the Cavaliers Need a Roster Tool Instead of a Star?
The big question fans are asking is: why is Cleveland, which has the status of title favourite in the East, betting on a player with a career 5.5 points? The answer lies in the strategy of a team that, after trading for De’Andre Hunter, had fallen below its contract minimum (14) and needed to fill the roster spot immediately.
Key reasons for Green’s selection:
- Defensive versatility. His height of 196 cm and 211 cm arm span allow him to guard the 2-4 position. According to NBA.com, opponents lose 1.4 per cent of their shooting accuracy when he’s in his custody, which is critical against star duos like Tatum/Brown.
- Spacing Effect. Modest stats mask his ability to “stretch” defences. Green scores 1.59 points per possession on off-ball moves (91st percentile) – perfect for schemes where Mitchell and Garland dominate the offensive attack.
- Low risk. A contract through the end of the season (veteran minimum) won’t affect plans to retain Strouse and Okoro in the summer.
Statistics vs. Context: Why Green’s Numbers are Deceptive
Green had every chance to prove himself with the Pelicans this season: injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram freed up 18 starts for him. However, his stats remained close to career norms, which caused some analysts to be sceptical.
It is important to consider three factors.
- The role of “fire extinguisher”. In New Orleans, he was more often released against the opponents’ leaders (for example, against Doncic in the game against Dallas), which reduced the energy expenditure in the attack.
- The effect of low minutes. Averaging 15.7 minutes per game prevented him from getting a rhythm – by comparison, in his best season in Chicago (2021/22), he produced 7.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 23 minutes.
- Synergy with Cleveland. J.B. Bickerstaff’s system, where the defensive efforts of Mobley and Allen free up the wings for interceptions, fits Green’s style perfectly.
The Playoff Factor: Can a Veteran Influence the Moment of Truth?
Green’s postseason history is brief: 6 games for Chicago in 2022 (1.7 points, 2.7 rebounds). However, the Cavaliers don’t expect miracles from him. His objectives:
- 10-12 minutes of energy defence in a rotation against Boston or Milwaukee;
- Reducing the burden on Mitchell in Tatum/Holiday’s custody;
- rare but accurate three-point shots at the sag-default (example: last game for the Pelicans against Sacramento – 5 steals in 34 minutes).
As Cleveland defensive coach Dan Gero noted, “We don’t need 20 points from Javonte. If he throws two interceptions and one block in the peak quarter, it will pay off his contract.”
Long-Term Goal: Why Signing Up is Not Just Filling a Roster Spot
Strategically, Green’s transition is part of a multi-pronged move:
- Insurance for Okoro/Strouse. Both players will become free agents in 2025. If Cleveland loses one of them, Green (assuming an extension) would soften the blow.
- Flexibility for trades. The veteran’s contract can be used as ballast in 2024 trades – similar to the 2021 deal when Boston traded him and Daniel Theis for Luke Kornet.
- CBA Impact. New “tax farkers” limit the market. Low salaries (like Green’s) become key to maintaining roster stability.
Fan Reaction: Scepticism and Hopefulness
Discussions on local forums are polarised. Some point to the failure of a similar signing of Dickie Minnesota in 2023. Others recall that it was “roster patches” like Green that helped Denver win a title in 2023. Amid the debate, some fans are looking for relief in the Aviator crash game at https://aviator.com.in/, where predicting upside is akin to analysing a veteran prospect.
What’s Next?
For Green, it’s a chance to prove that even at 31, he can be part of a championship puzzle. For the Cavaliers, it’s a minimally risky experiment. If the scheme fails, the franchise will simply move the clock forward two months, focusing on the draft. If it works, it gets a benchmark template for bolstering the roster periphery in an era of hard caps.
P.S. In his final game before All-Star Weekend, Green showed a hint of potential with nine points, five steals and seven rebounds in 34 minutes against Sacramento. Cleveland is hoping this is just a prelude.
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Author: Team Dunkest
February 21, 2025 | 1:01 pm
