A Boston Celtics Jeff Green trade that must be considered

The Boston Celtics are on a rare upswing in the 2021-22 season, having won three straight after sweeping a home-and-home with the Indiana Pacers and avenging the first leg of a different back-to-back–which saw the Cs blow a 20+ point lead–with the New York Knicks.

Their reward for this winning streak? A .500 record.

Even though things look good at the moment, let’s remember that Boston has yet to play a single team in 2022 that is projected to end up in the postseason. Change is still necessary, and we could see that first-hand as soon as tomorrow when the Philadelphia 76ers host the Celtics at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Luckily, Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens doesn’t appear willing to sit back and watch the first roster he had a hand in building falter under first-year head coach Ime Udoka.

The franchise is interested in several Western Conference frontcourt players, with Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green and Phoenix Suns center Jalen Smith being named specifically as potential targets.

Smith doesn’t make sense considering his contract situation, but a reunion with a former player Brad Stevens coached is right up the new front office’s ally.

So if that is something we may see happen in the coming weeks, let’s hope it looks something like this:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Obviously, a reunion with Green is desired by the Cs front office. The 15-year veteran was a valued contributor for the Brooklyn Nets just last season though he has been as smooth of a fit in Denver this season.

Green’s presence makes Boston a win-now roster just as Dennis Schroder did, but unlike the German floor general, there’s potential for the relationship to last beyond this season.

Speaking of which, Bones Hyland is the true get here given his potential as a recent first-round pick out of VCU. Hyland showed against the Atlanta Hawks a few weeks ago (24 points on 8/11 shooting, 4/5 3-point shooting, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks) that when given minutes, the 21-year-old can swing a matchup. He won’t step into a starting role in Boston, but he and Payton Pritchard would be an aspiring bench backcourt.

Why the Denver Nuggets do it

Monte Morris, Austin Rivers, Facundo Campazzo, and Hyland are doing all they could to keep the point guard position afloat as Jamal Murray recovers from an ACL tear.

It has led to a record that is dangerously close to being as disappointing as Boston’s. Dennis Schroder doesn’t guarantee an improvement in that regard, but he certainly qualifies as a needle-mover that has the best chance to based on who is realistically available to Denver.