Boston Celtics: Could Jeff Green Be A Trade Target For The Wizards?
Boston Celtics’ General Manager Danny Ainge has already been hard at work in what looks set to be a busy offseason for the franchise as the future of the team begins to take shape. The NBA Draft Combine and recent scouting trips have dominated the GM’s time as of late, but there could also be significant movement on the trade front depending on which direction Ainge decides to take the Celtics going forward. One player who is bound to be widely rumored in offseason trade talks is swingman Jeff Green.
Zach Lowe mentioned in a feature for Grantland that the Washington Wizards have had the 6’9” forward on their radar and if they are unable to work out a reasonable contract with free-agent Trevor Ariza, that Green could be a realistic target for the up and coming Wizards.
"The Wiz may need to retain Bird rights on Gortat and Ariza so they can outbid suitors who would offer those players the midlevel exception. That wouldn’t preclude Washington from going under the cap. The Wiz could keep Gortat and Ariza on their books unsigned, talk to Bosh/Melo-level players, and then renounce Gortat and Ariza if they strike an informal deal with one of the stars.Washington could work the trade market to find a capable replacement for one or both guys — a proven veteran better than the minimum-salary stopgaps, but on a cheaper and/or shorter deal than Ariza and Gortat will get. The Wiz have long liked Jeff Green, who has just two seasons left on his current deal. They could help Denver reboot by flipping one player for the combo of Wilson Chandler and J.J. Hickson, both with two seasons left on their deals.7 They could kick the tires on any number of useful wing players under contract in Minnesota and Memphis."
Green is coming off a year where he topped his career high in scoring with 16.9 points per game, but as the primary offensive option struggled with his consistency and shooting efficiency, going just .412 from the field. Green would explode for 30-plus points one night, looking every bit the superstar and then back that up with a single-digit performance where he was barely a factor on the court. There is no denying Green’s talent, but it has become obvious that his role is that of a support player and not the lead man that the Celtics perhaps wanted him to be this season.
If a team like Washington however was after a versatile swingman to play alongside their young star backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, while also replacing the defense and outside shooting of Trevor Ariza, Jeff Green could be the perfect candidate. The 27-year-old Green has averaged 14.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game throughout his six seasons in the NBA and would provide a mix of experience, while still being young enough to run with the speed of the Wizards’ guards. If Ainge decides on a complete rebuild around youth in the offseason, moving Green to a team like the Wizards would be one of the first key steps in that direction.
As for potential trade chips that could interest the Celtics, the Wizards hold an intriguing young talent in rookie forward Otto Porter Jr. Porter was injured to start his rookie season and struggled to crack the rotation in his first year once he returned. The 20-year-old Georgetown alum averaged 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game playing just 8.6 minutes in his 37 games for the Wizards. Porter is a long, versatile swingman with high defensive potential and was a solid scorer at the college level averaging over 16 points per game in his sophomore year. While Porter and Green may be cut from the same mold, one is a high paid player in his prime while the other is still full of potential and locked up through to the 2016-17 season with team options.
The Wizards also have the short term contract of veteran point guard Andre Miller to throw in to make salaries work. The 38-year-old Miller has played on six teams over his 15-year NBA career and is ninth all-time on the NBA assist leaders. He could provide leadership to a young, rebuilding Celtics team and give guidance to whichever point guards are on the roster next season. The Wizards do not have a first round selection in this year’s draft but future picks could be included in order to make the trade work.
With the Draft Lottery just days away and the NBA Draft just around the corner, we will soon know which direction Ainge plans on taking the Celtics next season. With two picks in the first round, including a likely top five selection, the Celtics could very well go all-in on a full-blown youth rebuild and that would squeeze players like Green out rather quickly. Washington presents just one of a number of options for Ainge if he does in fact decide to part ways with the inconsistent enigma that is Jeff Green.