2018 NBA free agency grades: Wizards pick up Jeff Green
The Washington Wizards have bolstered their wing and bench depth by agreeing to a one-year, veteran minimum deal with Jeff Green.
The Washington Wizards lost forward Mike Scott to the Los Angeles Clippers during the first few days of free agency. Almost without missing a beat, they then picked up journeyman forward Jeff Green for one-year at the veteran minimum, per NBA.com’s David Aldridge.
This move was a good one for the Wizards. Scott was an integral part of their bench last season, averaging 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Green will be looking to produce that and more after the Cleveland Cavaliers bombed out of the NBA Finals this season.
For his career, Green averages 13.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Last season, Green averaged only 10.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game as he took a back seat to the league’s best player in LeBron James.
This season, Green will have an entirely different role as the focus of the Wizards’ franchise is on the backcourt, which consists of John Wall and Bradley Beal. They also just traded starting center Marcin Gortat to the Clippers for Austin Rivers, another guard, replacing him with the newly bought out Dwight Howard in an effort bolster the frontcourt.
How all this impacts Green and the Wizards
Thanks to the addition of Howard, the Wizards have bulked up their frontcourt. Howard will start and will be backed up by Ian Mahinmi. Markieff Morris will be the starting 4, with Otto Porter Jr. at the 3. This will be one of the strongest Wizards lineups in years.
What this also means is the Wizards are a deeper team. Previously, Porter and Kelly Oubre Jr., who are both small forwards, who would get dominated by teams with stronger players at the 4. This is where Jeff Green starts to fit into the picture.
For most of his 10-year career, Green has moved between both forward spots. Standing 6’9″, he is an inch taller than Porter and two inches taller than Oubre. This, combined with his 235-pound frame, allows him to compete against power forwards. All the while, he is agile enough to play the small forward role.
Green will probably play out the season coming off the bench for most games. However, he will provide valuable backup minutes when he plays. With his versatility, Green will back up both forward roles, but will finally give the Wizards a viable and versatile reserve at the 4.
It should not be too long before he is one of head coach Scott Brooks‘ preferred sixth man options. He is a truly exceptional talent, so hopefully he can become more consistent this season.
Green appears to be a move by a Wizards team looking to play more position-less basketball. Green, with the addition of Howard, answers a lot of questions posed last year. By itself, the trade would get a C+ or a B-. Add in the Howard signing and the Wizards are on to a winner here.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Grade: A-