Danny Green interested in return to Raptors

Danny Green may not be one of the marquee free agents available this summer, but he’s a very good player who is sure to draw plenty of interest. And Green is very interested in a return to the Toronto Raptors, with whom he won the championship last season.

Green spoke with Hoops Hype’s Alex Kennedy for an interview published on Friday. He told Kennedy he wants to go to a situation where he can play and win, and that the Raptors would be a great option to run it back next season.

“For me, my biggest thing, my biggest mantra, is winning,” Green told Kennedy. “I want to be in a situation where I can play, be effective and win. I want to be in an organization that is a contender, so I’m looking at a lot of places that have a really good foundation.

“If Toronto brings everyone back, I think we have a really good shot of coming out of the East again. So why would I not want to be there? But things change and things move. [If the Raptors can’t bring everyone back], there are going to be other teams who are in the running and I want to see what those situations are.”

Marc Gasol already opted in to his contract for next season for $25.5 million. Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are slated to make big bucks as well. But the big question of course is Kawhi Leonard. If he returns, it makes all the sense in the world to re-sign Green and try to win it all again next season. If not, the Raptors might be content to let him go.

Green, 32, averaged 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game last season. He shot an astounding 45.5 percent on threes and is a career 40.4 percent 3-point shooter.