Los Angeles Lakers: Best-Case, Worst-Case scenarios for new additions

Danny Green

Best-Case Scenario

Last year while playing for the Toronto Raptors, Danny Green averaged 10.3 PPG, 4 RPG, and 1.6 APG, while shooting 46% from deep (8th in the NBA among all players who played at least 20 games during the 2018-2019 season).

Danny Green also came in first place among all shooting guards last season in ESPN’s real plus-minus with a 4.73 rating.

The best-case scenario for Danny Green next year will be to replicate his play from last season and to continue to function as the best 3-and-D player in the NBA.

Worst-Case Scenario

Danny Green has been an NBA iron man throughout his career. He’s never suffered a major injury, and after he became part of the Spurs regular rotation in 2011, he’s averaged more than 70 games played per season.

He’s also been one of the most consistent players in the NBA.
Since he became a starter at age 24, he’s had a positive box plus/minus every season, and he’s had at least a 2.0 value over replacement player rating every year except one.

Green has been the best role player in the NBA for nearly a decade. Every time Green suits up you know what you’re going to get from him; excellent defense, great long distance shooting, and no silly mistakes.

The worst-case scenario for Green next season is that at age 32, all the extra minutes he’s played throughout the Spurs and Raptors deep playoff runs finally catch up with him, and he suffers the first significant injury of his career.

In this situation, Green would miss significant time. Then, after a lengthy rehab, he’d come back out of shape and a step slow.

Outside of an injury, it’s hard to imagine the dependable Danny Green having a bad season next year for the Lakers.