The Celtics Drop Their Bomb....Sign Gerald Green?
Sporting News – Former Celtics guard Gerald Green is returning home. A source told Sporting News that Green will sign with Boston on a one-year, guaranteed contract. Green was originally the No. 18 choice by the Celtics in the 2005 draft.
Green has bounced around since then, playing for eight different franchises, and spending two years playing in Russia. He re-established himself in the NBA in 2013-14 with the Suns, when he averaged 15.8 points and played in all 82 games. He spent last year with the Heat, averaging 8.9 points in 69 games.
HE’S BACK!! When Danny Ainge drops a bomb he fucking drops a bomb! I don’t think there was a person on the planet that saw this coming, I certainly didn’t, and my instant reaction is…LOVE. It’s been over 10 years since Gerald Green was the high flying young prospect who when taken 18th in 2005 NBA Draft by the Celtics, and his previous time in Boston comes with mixed reviews. In just two years, Green played a total of 113 games for the Celts averaging 8.9/2 which doesn’t blow you away, but holy shit was he a human highlight reel. It didn’t really help that his best year as a Celtic came in 2006 when they were losing a billion games in a row, and finished the year 24-58. However, along with Big Al, he was probably the reason we were able to get KG, so maybe that’s why I’ve always liked him. Not to mention he was an absolute force in NBA 2k which obviously plays a factor here.
But look, we can sit here and joke, but if this is in fact the only #fireworks left for the summer, that kind of sucks. That’s not a knock on Green as a player, but I think we all are holding out hope for more. I’m not sure how many people still knew Green was in the NBA, so let’s take a closer look at the type of player he is now as he enters his 30s.
The thing with Gerald Green, basically his whole career, has been he just needs minutes. When Green gets minutes, he usually makes a pretty decent impact. His best year came at age 26 for PHX, where he got 28 minutes a game and averaged 15/3/2 on 44%/40% splits. That’s not terrible. Now, that was four year ago, so it wouldn’t be crazy to assume he’s a bit over the hill, but from everything I saw last year, he’s still got it!
Coming in on a 1 year deal for low money is what I like to call a low risk high reward situation. Between Green and Jaylen Lob City could very well be moving to the TD Garden. The thing with Green though, is as he’s matured he’s developed outside of just being an incredible dunker, take a look
So what does this chart tell us. Well, it tells us he shot 39% last year, which isn’t great, but it also shows he can spread the floor, and is deadly from the corners. Think of how the Celtics offense, and really every offense in the NBA works, and having a guy that can consistently knock down corner threes is a big plus. Above all else, Green helps you create space, and we all know how important space is to not only Brad, but to guys like Isaiah. For his career, Green is a 36% three point shooter, and averages over 1 make a game. Again, not superstar numbers or anything, but for a second unit player, you could do worse.
Now it’s not all great news, but probably not for the reason you may think. Take a look at the depth chart after this move and one thing is clear. RIP James Young, probably for real this time. Did I cause this by removing him from my Summer League Crush Standings? Did he cause it himself by taking forever to validate my fight for him? We’ll never know, but if Green is in fact here to stay, then there just isn’t a spot for him.
This move won’t move the needle, or suddenly make the Celtics serious contenders or anything like that, but it’s still a fun signing that should provide some excitement. This second unit needs veteran help, and with 9 years in the NBA, that’s what Green provides.
Wait…is that…again?…it can’t be…but..no…it is!! That’s Danny music again!!