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Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeff Green can get more than the veteran’s minimum, but will he?

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Jeff Green #32 after hitting the game winning shot to beat the Toronto Raptors 105-103 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Jeff Green #32 after hitting the game winning shot to beat the Toronto Raptors 105-103 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Jeff Green is certainly worth more than just $2.3 million per year, and he proved that this postseason. Without winning a title, will he be back in Cleveland?

The Cleveland Cavaliers were swept in the 2018 NBA Finals. Because of that and the lingering decision of LeBron James, could they lose their prized veterans that signed for less than market value?

Actually, unlike in year’s past, Jeff Green was the only veteran that could’ve gone elsewhere yet sign for the veteran’s minimum in order to compete for a title. Green and Rose were the two to start the year, and after Rose’s trade to Minnesota, it left just Green.

The Cavs also signed Jose Calderon to the veteran’s minimum to start the 2017 offseason, but he certainly wasn’t a highly sought-after free agent.

That said, should Jeff Green return to Cleveland? That is the question at hand.

Before we get into if he should, let’s relive his lone season as a Cavalier.

The season started for Green much better than it finished for him.

He was the Cavs fourth-leading scorer at the all-star break and was consistently getting minutes in every game. Although he ended up scoring 0.4 more per game following the break, Green’s percentages dipped; meanwhile, he struggled to even get in the game at times.

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However, Green’s role and playing minutes were sporadic throughout the season. One example was a three-game stretch in the middle of the season where Green averaged over 40 minutes per game while in the fourth game of that stretch. Lue played Green just under 12 minutes.

Albeit not the most consistent weapon, Green’s size, speed, agility, and athleticism were always there. Those traits were also the same ones that made him such a phenomenal signing especially with the Cavs limited cap flexibility.

Green, who neared 40% from behind the arc early in his career, shot 31.2% from deep this season. Just like many of the other Cavaliers, that percentage dipped even further in the postseason. But, Green wasn’t afraid of the moment and stepped up huge in the Eastern Conference Finals Game 7.

Without his performance in that game, the legacy and Finals streak of LeBron James might have been broken. Green scored 19 points and joined James as the only two efficient Cavaliers. Green was huge in that game especially since the Cavs played without Kevin Love.

That said, Green ended the year with a few pitiful performances against Golden State. He combined to score 21 points and completely let his team and city down.

In the end, Green wasn’t mean to be a key scoring option for this team. Relying on Green to put the ball in the bucket would inevitably come back to bit the Cavs, and it did against Golden State. Green proved that he is just a solid role player. No more, no less.

But, should he, as a solid role player, stay in Cleveland yet again for the veteran’s minimum?

I think he should, yes.

But, Green’s decision should rely on James’ decision. Green’s yet to be an NBA Champion. With an outstanding career behind him, he needs to find a place to win, and that place could be San Antonio or better yet he could make his return to Boston.

Next: Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 30 all-time greatest players

If James stays, Green will most likely stay, but with that up in the air, Green’s quest for a ring might send him elsewhere this offseason.