With the trade deadline quickly approaching, the Boston Celtics have a decision to make: Do they try to improve their roster as is, attempting to make a run at the playoffs this year, or do they stand pat, hoping to retool next offseason?
With MassLive’s Brian Robb reporting that the team has an interest in a Jeff Green reunion, it seems as if we have our answer. The current Nuggets forward has evolved into the ultimate journeyman, playing for 11 different teams in his career, and nine in the past seven seasons.
Denver brought in the 35-year-old this offseason as a versatile 3-and-D wing, a role he excelled at least playoffs with the Nets. He shot over 41% from long distance in his 2020-21 campaign starting over half the team’s games.
Green would be an interesting fit for the Boston Celtics
Sitting at 20-19, the Nuggets are in the midst of a relatively disappointing season. With the injury to Michael Porter Jr., Green has been thrust into the starting role for the majority of the season. However, with Aaron Gordon and JaMychal Green acting as better fits next to reigning-MVP Nikola Jokic, it would make sense for the Nuggets to move on from the veteran.
Green signed a two-year deal in the offseason, with a $4.5 million year player-option for the 2022-23 season. As Denver attempts to build for the future, with the eventual returns of both Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray, Green’s aging game doesn’t fit into that timeline.
While the Boston Celtics are having a disappointing season for themselves, they could benefit greatly from an experienced wing in their rotation. Often, coach Ime Udoka has to trust either Romeo Langford or Aaron Nesmith with important minutes, a role which Green could fill effortlessly.
On the season, Green has averaged 10.1 points and 3.1 rebounds on 49.6% shooting from the field and 31.8% from three. He’s primarily played as a power forward in most offensive lineups, but can also play as a center in smaller sets.
Currently, Boston has both Robert Williams and Al Horford to play center, with Grant Williams also thriving in that position. Coach Udoka has continued to play both Williams and Horford in the starting lineup despite its below-par spacing, with Grant coming off the bench.
Green could present himself as another depth option instead of center Enes Freedom, as when Enes comes into the game, it suddenly becomes a shootout. The offense becomes much more efficient due to his offensive rebounding prowess, but the team’s defense nosedives, as opposing ball-handlers attack him in the pick-and-roll as much as they can.
As an alternative, Green has proven to be a viable option in a switching defense while stretching out the offense from the perimeter. Cs President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens would like to see his three-point efficiency get closer to last year, where he shot almost ten percentage points better than what he’s currently shooting. If the Boston Celtics were to trade for him, they would be betting on his perimeter accuracy to land somewhere in the middle of his past two seasons.
Jeff Green has improved practically every team he’s ever been on, so a potential Green reunion in green seems like a low-risk, relatively high-reward. If all works out, he becomes a viable option in the team’s closing lineups, hitting shots at a reliable rate while holding his own on the defensive end.
If not, players like Grant Williams and Josh Richardson can absorb his minutes, as Green has a very tradeable contract next season.
As for a potential acquisition, Green’s salary fits into both of the Celtics’ trade exceptions. Considering his age, it would be surprising if the Nuggets desired anything more than a second-round pick in exchange for the veteran.
Additionally, Boston now has an open roster spot with the release of Jabari Parker just last week.
A trade for Jeff Green wouldn’t be earth-shattering, but it would be a step in the right direction for a team looking to improve.