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UNC Basketball Alumni: Danny Green to the Los Angeles Lakers?

By Blake Cockrum

TORONTO, ON - MAY 07: Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after sinking a 3 pointer during Game Five of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on May 7, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 07: Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after sinking a 3 pointer during Game Five of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on May 7, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Could former UNC basketball star Danny Green be headed to the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA free agency?

The Los Angeles Lakers got their No. 1 target this summer when they landed former New Orleans Pelicans center and 6-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis. The move that landed Davis — one that LeBron James and the Lakers tried orchestrate mid-season, but was turned down by the Pelicans — cost multiple players and draft picks, including this year’s No. 4 overall.

The Lakers’ pending deal with the Washington Wizards that’s set to finalize on July 6 sends Moe Wagner, Isaac Bonga and Jemerrio Jones out East, leaving Los Angeles with a roster consisting of just three players as NBA free agency is set to begin on Sunday night. Those three players — James, Davis and Kyle Kuzma — are a nice trio, but now the Lakers are looking to fill out the remainder of their roster.

The move with the Wizards freed up $32 million in cap space for the Lakers, giving them the opportunity to sign another max contract player this summer. It’s unknown if they’ll be able to do that, or if that’s even their main objective at this time. While signing Kawhi Leonard or Jimmy Butler would be nice, there are those that believe the more savvy move would be to sign a handful of high-quality role players to work alongside James and Davis.

One of the players that the Lakers appear to looking at acquiring this summer is former Tar Heel and 2-time NBA champion Danny Green. Fresh off an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors, Green is set to enter free agency with a reasonable price tag and a lot to offer, particularly on a team that already has a pair of top-10 players on its roster.

Known for his ability to knock down shots from long range and play pesky defense on the other end of the court, Green is the perfect compliment to a James/Davis duo in Los Angeles. Despite his ups and downs during the Raptors’ playoff run this season, Green saw career-highs in 3-pointers made (198) and 3-point percentage (45.5). And his 46.5 percent mark from the floor was the best shooting percentage of his career when playing a full season.

He averaged 10.3 points, four rebounds and 1.6 assists for the Raptors in his only season with the team after an eight-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs. Signing the 32-year-old Green would also allow Los Angeles to go after former Laker and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent D’Angelo Russell. The All-Star point guard is expected to be on the open market once the Nets complete their deal with Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, which is expected to take place Sunday evening.

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Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Danny Green, and UNC basketball alumni in NBA free agency.

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