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Boston Celtics: Reunion with close Jayson Tatum friend possible if Bulls continue losing

By Andrew Hughes

The Boston Celtics could reunite with a close friend of Jayson Tatum if the Chicago Bulls continue at their current losing pace Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics could reunite with a close friend of Jayson Tatum if the Chicago Bulls continue at their current losing pace Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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If the last team that beat the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, continues to lose at their current pace after a torrid start, Jayson Tatum could soon be reunited with a close friend who got his NBA start on the Cs.

Javonte Green, who played for years overseas before getting a shot on the 2019-20 Boston Celtics under Danny Ainge, is a win-now role player who could make sense to get value out of in Chicago’s case if the Bulls continue to fall further out of the playoff hunt. Green signed a $3.5 million deal for two years in the summer of 2021 after being dealt to the Bulls at the 2021 trade deadline along with Daniel Theis in a trade that brought back Moritz Wagner and Luke Kornet.

MassLive’s Brian Robb (subscription required) revealed that the Cs would have a shot at landing Green in a question in his latest Boston Celtics Mailbag, answering a question from a reader asking if he can be had for Justin Jackson and a top-40 protected future draft pick:

"“That’s a fun idea and you can bet close friend Jayson Tatum will be pushing for it if the Bulls make him available. It’s possible they could go into fire sale mode at the trade deadline if he sticks below the .500 mark given the age of their players. Green is an expiring contract making just $1.8 million and that would fit easily into any of Boston’s trade exceptions.”"

Javonte Green would be an upgrade over Justin Jackson for the Boston Celtics

Thus far, Justin Jackson has been largely forgettable as a member of the Boston Celtics in the 2022-23 season after a strong Summer League showing and a perfect preseason for his goal of snagging the last roster spot.

Javonte Green would undoubtedly be an upgrade on the wing for a Cs team that has mostly relied on Sam Hauser and Grant Williams — who have done about as well as they could have in the wake of Danilo Gallinari’s untimely ACL tear — and MassLive’s Brian Robb shared that sentiment:

"“Would the Celtics view him as an upgrade of Justin Jackson? Absolutely. Would a second-round pick be enough to get him off the Bulls hands? That’s an answer we won’t know until February but would make for a fun reunion story. The fact the Celtics could take him without sending any salary outgoing would help if the Bulls end up being cost-cutting mode.”"

If Jayson Tatum had his way, Green would ditch his red No. 24 for his green No. 43 and return to where his pro career started.

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