Rumor: Celtics Are "Close" To Signing Jeff Green

To the surprise of no one, Jeff Green sounds like he's going to be a member of the Boston Celtics this year.

Celtics hopeful on Allen, Green " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog

Meanwhile, the Celtics believe they're "close," as one source put it, to reaching agreement on a new deal with Green, who missed all of last season after undergoing open-heart surgery in December to repair an aortic aneurysm. The team had initially reached agreement with Green on a one-year deal before the season began, but once his condition was detected during a preseason physical the team rescinded the contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.

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But a source close to 25-year-old forward Jeff Green said the odds of him also returning to Beantown as well are high, thanks in large part to his affinity for coach Doc Rivers and the Celtics' stance that he's an important part of their future going forward.

Green struggled in his first half year with the Celtics, but there were a lot of factors at play there, including learning a new system on the fly after the mid-season trade. He showed flashes of potential in particular in transition with Rondo.

Technically Green can play either of the forward spots, and that versatility could be useful, but he seems to be a better fit at the 3. A lot of time was spent analyzing his defense and efficiency and not very favorably, but the hope is that he would be much more comfortable in the system with some time to learn it.

The Celtics would have been better off with Green proving himself on the one year deal he signed last year but perhaps they can work out a similar short term make-good deal now.