San Antonio Spurs: Danny Green on LeBron James potentially signing
By Rob Wolkenbrod
What does Danny Green think of the prospect of LeBron James joining the San Antonio Spurs?
Since the 2018 NBA Finals ended, speculation has taken over on who LeBron James, if he opts out of his contracts and hits free agency, signs with this summer. The San Antonio Spurs are among those teams, but it’s unknown how much of a chance they stand at even setting up a meeting with the former NBA MVP.
For the Spurs to sign James some salary cap obstacles sit in their way, including three players that hold options for 2018-19 and three restricted free agents. Plus, there’s the likelihood of another contract that must be removed.
Danny Green is one of the Spurs that hold a player option, which his decision on is still unknown. However, in a recent appearance on the ESPN radio show, The Blitz, the former Tar Heel spoke on James’s potential arrival in San Antonio. He believes that not only are the fans “hopeful,” but fellow teammates share the same sentiment (h/t Pounding the Rock for transcription):
“When I was in Cleveland, I had no idea he was leaving there. I doubt he would share with me now what his mind is, but percentage-wise, obviously most San Antonio fans are hopeful. Even the guys on the team are hopeful, but percentage-wise I don’t know how much he would adapt to the city. I know he‘d love the fans, but I know he‘s the kind of guy if he were to leave Cleveland, it would be for a Miami or LA or a bigger city or bigger market, if I had to assume. But I couldn’t tell you, I have no idea…Yeah I know about 2 percent of what’s going on. I have no idea where his mind is.”
Of course it’s hard to doubt anyone that would want James, considered one of the NBA’s all-time greats, on their team. His teams, whether it’s the Miami Heat or the Cleveland Cavaliers, have made the NBA Finals in each season since 2011, two of which the Spurs were opponents in. They even faced the future Pro Basketball Hall of Famer in the 2007 Finals, the era that featured prime Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
While Green might be one of those hopeful Spurs, his contract, if it’s picked up for $10 million, could hamper the organization from its offseason pursuit of James. That’s unless he opts out and takes a smaller salary, but at age 30 and after another season of sub-40 percent shooting numbers, is he guaranteed to make more than $10 million on the open market?
Let’s see if the Spurs can get in on the LeBron talk this summer, and whether there’s a chance he’s able to come to the Alamo City and leave Cleveland behind.