2. Jeff Green
Green joined forces with LeBron James on the 2018 Cavaliers where they lost in the NBA Finals. The 6’8 forward did not win his first championship until 2023 with the Nuggets, which was his 15th NBA season.
He took a two-year $16 million contract from the Rockets in free agency as Houston tried to get back into contention. They knew they needed veterans, and the 2024-25 season is a club option.
The 37-year-old can only play 15 to 20 minutes per game at this stage of his career, but he is a connector. Green won’t complain about his minutes or touches. He is happy winning games and offering a veteran voice in the locker room. The 6’8 forward was excited by the massive payday, but he may have been convinced to join the Lakers for a bit less.
Jeff Green does not offer the playmaking or youth of Gabe Vincent, but the veteran would have been an impactful role player. He speaks fondly of playing with King James and may have come to Los Angeles if the GOAT reached out to him. His impact would have been greater than the five games of Vincent thus far, but the 6’3 guard will produce more in the playoffs if he can get healthy and remains in LA beyond the trade deadline.