San Antonio Spurs: Danny Green’s heartfelt message after Raptors trade

Danny Green left a heartfelt message on Instagram after the San Antonio Spurs sent him to the Toronto Raptors.

Kawhi Leonard was not the only piece that left the San Antonio Spurs in the trade with the Toronto Raptors, as Danny Green joined him in this blockbuster. The Spurs received DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick in return.

The trade ended Green’s eight-year run in San Antonio. It began in the 2010-11 season, when he had eight games to prove himself, eventually turning into a mainstay in the Alamo City and finding success along the way.

After the trade became official, Green took to Instagram to thank the Spurs, the city of San Antonio, and his love for everything there over this period of time. He also gave a separate shoutout to coach Gregg Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford:

SAN ANTONIO….Can’t express the LOVE I have for you, the city, the fans & the organization. I want to thank you all for allowing me to be a part of something AMAZING for so many years. I have many great memories that I will take with me. Through the ups and downs you’ve always made me feel SPECIAL. I want to personally thank Pop and RC for being the first to believe in me and give me the opportunity. Thank you to my TEAMMATES for always encouraging me and being there for me (going to miss you guys the most)..so many battles. Thank you to the COMMUNITY for accepting me and allowing me to feel at HOME…all of you will ALWAYS be a big part of me and will ALWAYS be FAMILY! LOVE YOU ALL! Looking forward to my next chapter in TORONTO! #tothetruefans #THANKYOU #onceaspuralwaysaspur

A post shared by Danny Green (@greenranger14) on Jul 18, 2018 at 9:17am PDT

Green sounds optimistic about his future in Toronto, where he will be for at least one season. He opted into the final year of his deal in June which will pay $10 million.

Without Green, the Spurs have DeRozan to replace his 60 starts. Along with the signing of Marco Belinelli, the potential emergence of Derrick White and rookie Lonnie Walker, pieces are in place to cover the shooting guard depth.

On the Raptors, Green should find playing time but has to split it with C.J. Miles, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell. Some of it may be next to Leonard, pending he plays a game this fall.

Next: Top 25 players in SAS history

Over eight years, Green averaged 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds on 41.8 percent shooting and 39.6 percent from three-point range. He earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in the 2016-17 season and won a title with the Spurs in 2014, when they defeated the Miami Heat in five games. Let’s see what else he can accomplish in Canada’s mainland.