Portland Trail Blazers: 5 potential free agency targets in 2018
By Ty Delbridge
5. Jeff Green
- Height: 6’9”
- Weight: 235 pounds
- Position: SF/PF
- Age: 31
- Last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Jeff Green is a nine-year veteran in the NBA and a guy who brings playoff experience with him. Green was apart of the Cleveland Cavaliers team that made it to the 2018 NBA Finals and was a valuable player who had some big moments during the playoffs. Green has bounced around during his career, but has been around some of the best players this league has seen in the recent years like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
For his career, Green is averaging 13.2 points, 4.6 rebounds,1.6 assists and 0.7 steals in 30.3 minutes per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 33.2 percent from the 3-point line. He is a forward that can play at both spots and can even be a small-ball center at times in today’s NBA. Green can score in a variety of ways and has always been able to knock down the 3-point shot.
Fit for the Blazers
If the Blazers pursued Green this summer, it should not cost them too much money. Green is in his 30s and should be a role player, not a starter. Portland could bring him off the bench to play about 15-20 minutes a night. He could start if needed if someone gets injured. Green can handle the ball and create offense for himself. His shooting presence would be nice next to Lillard, McCollum and Nurkic, if they bring him back.
Green would allow the Blazers to space the floor with his shooting and could be more of a fourth or fifth scoring option. His versatility on both ends of the floor would be very beneficial for them. He would also bring valuable veteran experience to a young Blazers squad. If Portland wants to make a run in the postseason, it needs to add guys that have been there before.