Danny Green is ‘excited’ to join the Lakers, thinks they can ‘make something special happen’

Danny Green didn’t get to participate in the immediate flurry of transactions that began NBA free agency.

As a member of the defending champion Toronto Raptors, Green’s fate was inextricably linked to that of (now-former teammate) Kawhi Leonard. Two of the three teams that were interested in Green (the Lakers and the Raptors) were both also waiting on Leonard, so Green was forced to wait until Leonard made his decision. Once Leonard chose to go to the Clippers, Green almost immediately announced his move to Los Angeles to play for the Lakers, and he’s now full steam ahead with his new team.

Green had already said that the Lakers were an obvious destination because of the presence of two superstars. In the latest episode of his podcast, “Inside the Green Room,” Green went into further detail about why he wanted to join the organization:

“I’m excited, not gonna lie. Mind you, the plan was to be here [Toronto], that was No. 1. Obviously things have changed in that sense. I’m leaving a great place, but I’m going to a place that’s not too bad either.

“They have a great team there, a great foundation, so I’m looking forward to being back in the West again. I look at all positives when I go to a new city, reinvent myself a little bit. but obviously they’re bringing me in to be the same person who I am.

That player is someone who can bring some size to the wing and also help space the floor around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Green is a career 40.4% three-point shooter and shot 45.5% from beyond the arc last season with the Raptors. He also shot a career-best 48.7% last season from two-point range, so he doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of decline at age 32.

The Lakers didn’t sign the star talent that they were hoping for during the offseason, but Green is far from a consolation prize. He is a proven veteran who has been successful in high-pressure situations with several different types of rosters. Even though the Lakers will take some time to come together, Green has high hopes:

“We got a good group of guys, we could potentially make something special happen.”

And if anyone knows how to make something special happen in year one with a new team, it’s Danny Green.

For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.