Cavaliers Plan To Add Forward Javonte Green, Preparing For Celtics In Playoffs

New Orleans Pelicans forward Javonte Green came to terms on a contract buyout Wednesday that will allow him to go to another team. After he clears waivers, he reportedly plans to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland’s plans for Green are clear, as the team is preparing for a prospective playoff matchup with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Green and the Boston Celtics. Defending the perimeter against the most prodigious three-point shooting team in league history will be necessary if the Cavs plan to make a surprise run to the NBA Finals. Green is the second forward the team has added recently, following De’Andre Hunter’s arrival at the trade deadline.

Green hasn’t lit up box scores in New Orleans this season, scoring 5.8 points per game. He hasn’t been able to significantly help the Pelicans’ defense either, as the team’s larger struggles have outweighed his individual efforts. With Cleveland, however, Green’s role would be more defined, as the team already has one of the best defenses in the league. His paltry offensive contributions won’t be a hindrance either, as the Cavaliers’ offense is already deeply potent.

At this level, small moves can make massive impacts. Cleveland already has Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. The team is 44-10, well on its way to the first seed in the Eastern Conference. With an elite core in place, adding players like Green and Hunter are fine-tuning moves. Mitchell acknowledged their long-term potential while also noting inevitable growing pains.

“Adding Dre and Javonte will be very different for us,” Mitchell said Thursday. “Continue to implement them into what we’ve got going. We have a lot of weapons. But this isn’t 2K. Don’t just plug and play. Gotta get out there and see what things look like.”

Regardless of how many games the Cavaliers win in the regular season, they will enter the playoffs as underdogs. Fans and insiders alike are collectively taking a “wait-and-see” approach as several teams in the East try to build the roster that falls Boston in a series. Cleveland has the record and seeding on its side, but in the hunt to beat the reigning champs, the team is one of many.