Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Javonte Green
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Javonte Green
Javonte Green joined the Cleveland Cavaliers midway through the 2024-25 NBA season. He had previously seen his contract bought out by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Green suited up for Kenny Atkinson’s rotation on 18 occasions during the regular season. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, shooting 36.5% from the field. Nevertheless, Green was allowed to enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
As a result, the explosive wing has now signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday, August 11.
Free agent forward Javonte Green is finalizing a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Green split last season in Cleveland and New Orleans and now enters his seventh NBA campaign as a defensive-minded wing. pic.twitter.com/Br3Z3fgF2l
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2025
“Free agent forward Javonte Green is finalizing a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote. “Green split last season in Cleveland and New Orleans and now enters his seventh NBA campaign as a defensive-minded wing.”
Green, 32, will provide the Pistons with some additional athleticism off the bench while also slotting into their growing rotation of perimeter-based threats. His addition will also strengthen one of the Cavaliers’ direct rivals, as Detroit continues to build a roster capable of challenging toward the top of the Eastern Conference.
Cavaliers Expected to Keep Open Roster Spot
The Cavaliers are a second luxury tax apron team. As such, Koby Altman will be dealing with multiple penalties for the team’s current roster construction. As such, it makes sense for Cleveland to stand pat on filling the 15th and final roster spot. After all, NBA contracts are pro rata, and the tax hit on a minimum deal will be significantly cheaper as we get closer to January and February.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers are in no rush to fill the final roster spot.
“I just think the Cavs are in no hurry with this kind of situation,” Fedor said via the “Wine and Gold Podcast.” “I think they understand the makeup of this roster, and they understand that guy 14 is really not going to be a consequential member of the Cavs.”
With the second luxury tax apron at the front of the Cavaliers’ minds, it’s no surprise the team didn’t choose to re-sign Green. And as such, they will now be facing off against him multiple times in the coming season.
Cavaliers Confident in Championship Credentials
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com discussed the confidence within the franchise during a recent episode of the “Wine and Gold” podcast.
“There’s a lot of confidence from Kenny, and there’s a lot of confidence from people inside this organization that the Cavs are ready to compete for a championship,” Fedor said. “And they do believe that they learned what they needed to learn. We’ll see — has to play itself out. But they do believe they learned what they needed to learn from the latest playoff exit.”
Cleveland fell short last season. The Cavaliers were eliminated in the second round by the Indiana Pacers. However, with the additions of Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr., the Cavaliers likely have enough talent and depth to contend at the very top of the NBA. They have good reason for confidence, but only time will tell if they can capitalize on the undeniable talent in their rotation.