Farewell to the Three-Time Champion! Is Embiid to Blame for Danny Green's Retirement?

After an illustrious 15-year NBA career, three-time NBA champion Danny Green officially announced his retirement. The announcement came through his own podcast, where Green shared his decision to step away from the game. Reflecting on his journey, Green said, “I’m ready to start the next chapter after basketball and the NBA. I feel great, and I’m really proud of my career. I’m at peace with it.”

In addition to the podcast, Green posted a heartfelt farewell letter on social media, expressing his gratitude to all those who supported him throughout his career. "I never thought I would write this letter," Green wrote, "even though I knew this day would come. My life has always revolved around basketball. It took me all over the world and allowed me to meet incredible people. It’s been a journey that I am extremely proud of, and I wouldn’t have achieved any of it without all of you. You all made me who I am today, so thank you!"

While Green’s announcement may have come as a surprise to some, those who followed his career closely, especially the last few seasons, saw the writing on the wall. Injuries, particularly the devastating knee injury suffered during the 2022 playoffs, derailed his career and accelerated his departure from the league.

A Career Built on Success and Championships

Green's name will forever be etched in NBA history as one of the premier 3-and-D players, and as one of only four players in NBA history to win championships with three different teams—the others being LeBron James, John Salley, and Robert Horry. Green’s journey to these titles wasn't easy, and it’s this resilience that has made his story one of the more remarkable in the league.

Green first tasted championship success with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, where he played a pivotal role in helping the team defeat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. His defensive tenacity and timely three-point shooting earned him accolades as one of the top role players in the league.

Five years later, Green would go on to win his second championship with the Toronto Raptors, contributing to the franchise’s first-ever title in 2019. He followed that up with a third ring in 2020, this time with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA bubble.

However, Green’s path after 2020 would become much rockier, marked by a series of trades, injuries, and a slow decline in his performance, all culminating in the knee injury that ultimately ended his career.

The Injury That Changed Everything

The turning point in Green’s career came during the 2022 NBA playoffs. In Game 6 of the second round against the Miami Heat, Green suffered a devastating knee injury just three minutes into the game. The injury, a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, occurred when Sixers star Joel Embiid fell on Green’s leg while trying to secure a rebound.

The injury was brutal, both in its nature and its timing. Green was 34 years old at the time and, though no longer in his prime, was still a key rotational player for the Philadelphia 76ers. He had shown flashes of his old form, shooting 40.8% from three-point range in the playoffs leading up to his injury.

As Green was helped off the court, the Sixers were eliminated by the Heat in that game, losing the series 4-2. In the aftermath, many fans blamed Embiid for inadvertently ending Green's career. While most recognized the injury as an unfortunate accident, some fans took to social media to express their frustration with Embiid, feeling that his clumsy fall was avoidable.

In fact, even under Shams Charania's tweet announcing Green's retirement, some comments continued to attribute his career’s abrupt end to Embiid’s unfortunate misstep. One fan wrote, “Embiid really ended Danny Green’s career,” which garnered a significant amount of support from other users.

Post-Injury Decline and the Final Season

After the injury, Green’s future in the NBA was thrown into doubt. The Sixers no longer saw him as part of their championship plans, and he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2022 offseason. Green made a quick recovery for a 35-year-old with such a severe injury, returning to the court just nine months later in February 2023.

However, it was clear that Green was not the same player. He played just three games for the Grizzlies before being traded to the Houston Rockets, who immediately waived him. In a final effort to revive his career, Green signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. But it was clear that the knee injury had taken its toll.

Green's performance in Cleveland was a far cry from his days as an elite role player. In four playoff games for the Cavaliers, he averaged just 0.8 points in 10 minutes per game. The player who had once been a key contributor to three championship teams was now barely a factor.

During the 2023 offseason, Green signed a veteran minimum contract to return to the 76ers, the team where he had suffered his career-altering injury. But after just two games and nine total minutes of playing time, Philadelphia decided to waive him. Green’s NBA career had come to an end with little fanfare, a stark contrast to the many highlights that had defined his time in the league.

Could Danny Green Have Continued?

One of the biggest “what if” questions surrounding Danny Green’s career is whether he could have continued playing at a high level had it not been for the injury. Before the ACL and LCL tear, Green was still a productive player, albeit in a more limited role. His three-point shooting remained solid, and his experience made him a valuable veteran presence in any locker room.

If not for the injury, it’s likely that Green would have continued to find a spot on NBA rosters, even if it meant playing on veteran minimum contracts. His ability to space the floor and his championship pedigree were enough to keep him employed in the league, even if his days of making significant money were behind him.

But the injury happened, and in professional sports, "what if" scenarios rarely matter. Green, ever the realist, seemed to understand this. In his farewell letter, he spoke of his pride in his career and the peace he felt with his decision to retire. It’s clear that while the abrupt end was unfortunate, Green has come to terms with it.

How Should Danny Green’s Career Be Remembered?

Though his career ended on a sour note, there is no denying that Danny Green’s time in the NBA was a resounding success. For a player selected with the 46th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Green exceeded all expectations. After a rocky start to his career, which included stints in the G League, he found his footing with the San Antonio Spurs under the legendary Gregg Popovich.

Green became one of the best 3-and-D players the league has ever seen, playing crucial roles on three championship teams. His ability to hit three-pointers in big moments and lock down opposing wings on defense made him invaluable to teams with title aspirations.

While Green was never an All-Star, he was the ultimate role player—someone who understood his job and executed it to perfection. His story is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the importance of carving out a niche in the NBA.

The way his career ended, with injury and a quiet departure, feels almost unfair for someone who achieved so much. But as Green himself said, his journey was one to be proud of, and his legacy as one of the best role players of his era is secure.

Danny Green’s retirement marks the end of an era for one of the league’s most reliable and respected players. As future generations of 3-and-D players come through the league, they will undoubtedly look to Green’s career as the blueprint for how to make an impact without needing to be the star.