Washington Wizards: 3 reasons Jeff Green is a good move

1. Green has meaningful playoff experience

Last season, Green made it to where the Wizards are trying to go. He was a key rotation player on a Cavaliers team that advanced to the 2018 NBA Finals before falling to the Golden State Warriors juggernaut.

During that playoff run, Green played almost 24 minutes and averaged 7.7 points per game. He started in Game 1 of Cleveland’s first round series against the Indiana Pacers, and Game 7 of the conference finals against Boston.

Green’s numbers didn’t always stand out, but he made big plays on the offensive and defensive end throughout a postseason run during which the injury-riddled Cavs began three of their four series on the road, faced a do-or-die Game 6 in the conference finals, and won two Game 7s.

Green has also been on playoff teams with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers. When Green was with the Thunder, he played under Wizards head coach Scott Brooks, so there’s some familiarity there.

With LeBron having taken his talents to the Western Conference, there is an opening in the East for a new conference champion. The Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers will be favored, but the Wizards have the talent to make a serious run.

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Green can play small forward or power forward, providing depth behind expected starters Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris. He’s also good enough to start in case of injury, like he did in the conference finals when Cleveland’s All-Star power forward Kevin Love suffered a concussion.

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The Wizards are one of those “one player away” teams that could be on the verge of a breakthrough. Green’s skill-set, versatility and athleticism can benefit them as they try to make a power move in the East.