Former Boston Celtics wing Javonte Green has reportedly agreed to join the Detroit Pistons on a one-year deal. Detroit will be Green’s fifth stop in the NBA, after stints with Boston, the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
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
Last season, he split his time with the Pelicans and Cavaliers, appearing in 68 total games. In those appearances, Green played an average of 18.5 minutes, though his playing time significantly declined after joining the top-seeded Cavs.
The 31-year-old averaged 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 42.9% from the field and 32.6% from beyond the arc.
He’ll provide some added wing depth for the Pistons next season in his new role, as the team hopes to build on what was an exciting return to relevance in the 2024-25 campaign.
Javonte Green has had a nice career after getting his start with the Celtics
It’s hard to believe that it’s been so long since Green’s rookie season in 2019-20. He burst onto the scene during a training-camp contract with the Celtics. His 2019 preseason was special, quickly transforming from an unknown invitee to a fan favorite after a couple of inspired outings. First, Green exploded for 15 points against the Charlotte Hornets on 7-7 from the field, including five loud dunks.
He earned a roster spot over Max Strus, another training camp invitee who’s had himself a nice career.
Green only wound up spending a season and a half in Boston before being traded to Chicago in the deal that began Luke Kornet’s first stint with the Cs. His opportunities were limited, but the Virginia native still suited up for the Celtics 73 times, averaging 3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game while shooting 51.8% from the field and 29.1% from long range.
He ended up fitting quite well with the Bulls and had a nice four-year career in the Windy City. Chicago was able to offer Green a real role off their bench, and he made the most of it. The high-flying wing made significant improvements to his jumpshot and became a respectable defender during his 122 outings for the Bulls.
Whether or not he’ll be able to re-establish himself with the Pistons is now the question at hand. There will likely be more opportunities than there were for him in Cleveland, but Detroit still has a solid young core that will be favored over Green for playing time.