Washington Wizards: 3 reasons Jeff Green is a good move

2. The Wizards need athletes in the frontcourt

After Washington made it to the playoffs as the 8-seed and were eliminated by the Toronto Raptors in the first round, John Wall said the Wizards need more athleticism in the frontcourt.

I’m not sure if the front office took those words from the face of their franchise under advisement, but since then, the Wizards have traded away tough but ground-bound center Marcin Gortat, claimed young big man Thomas Bryant off waivers, and on Tuesday reached contract terms with Green and with Howard — who at his peak was arguably the most athletic center the game had seen since a young Shaquille O’Neal.

Listed at 6’9″ and 235 pounds, Green is deceptively explosive for a player who came into the league known more for his basketball IQ and versatility than pure athleticism.

There were times last season when, if you glanced at a Cavs game from a distance, you might mistake Green for LeBron James. I’ve joked that Green looked and (on a good day) played like LeBron’s body double.

Green is quick enough to defend some of the league’s elite wing scorers, and strong enough to defend power forwards as well.