Former Los Angeles Lakers guard and three-time NBA champion Danny Green has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball. Green shared the news on his Instagram and posted a YouTube video reflecting on his career.
“I’m officially moving on from the game of basketball, the NBA. It’s been a great run,” Green said. “I’m proud to be able to walk away from the game, and I’m at peace with it.”
Green, known for his sharpshooting, particularly from beyond the arc, was selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers after a standout college career at the University of North Carolina. While at UNC, he helped lead the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA Championship, entering the NBA with a winning pedigree.
His NBA journey truly blossomed when he joined the San Antonio Spurs, where he became a key role player. Green’s stellar defense and three-point shooting helped the Spurs secure the 2014 NBA Championship, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s top 3-and-D players.
In 2018, Green, along with star forward Kawhi Leonard, was traded to the Toronto Raptors. The duo quickly made an impact, guiding the Raptors to their first-ever NBA title in 2019 by defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games. This marked Green’s second championship.
After his success in Toronto, Green signed a two-year, $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Teaming up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Green helped the Lakers capture the 2020 NBA title, making him one of only four players in history to win championships with three different teams. He joined elite company with LeBron James, Robert Horry, and John Salley.
Green’s time in Los Angeles was brief, as he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2020 offseason, though he never played for the team. He later signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he spent two seasons before injuries started to affect his career. Green also had brief stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers before calling it quits.
Over the course of his career, Green averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, while maintaining a 40% shooting average from three-point range. A reliable veteran and prolific winner, Green leaves behind a legacy defined by his pivotal role in multiple championship runs.