Could Jeff Green be on his way out of Boston & other potential trades?

NESN

by Justin Leger


One NBA expert thinks there’s a chance. Grantland’s Zach Lowe wrote Monday that acquiring Green potentially could help toward fixing the 4-14 Charlotte Hornets’ current issues. “Now the Hornets are in trouble, and they’ll scour the trade market while hoping the status quo roster can find just enough punch to trample over a few of the teams that will surely stumble down the Eastern Conference ladder,” Lowe said.

“You could see them making calls on a number of potentially available wings: Randy Foye or Wilson Chandler in the Denver overflow pile; Jeff Green in Boston, capable of swinging between both forward positions; Corey Brewer, suddenly weirdly essential for a banged-up Minnesota team; and in a much lower trade-value range, shooting tweeners like Dorell Wright and old friend Anthony Tolliver.”

Moving Green to Charlotte might be difficult, as the Hornets do not have any assets that would obviously interest Boston. The 28-year-old forward could opt out of his contract at the end of the season, freeing up $9 million in cap space, which could add to his trade value.
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BLEACHER REPORT

Possible Trade

Boston Celtics Get: C Nikola Pekovic

Charlotte Hornets Get: SG Corey Brewer, SG Kevin Martin and Clippers' 2015 first-round pick (via Boston)

Minnesota Timberwolves Get: C Bismack Biyombo, SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF Gerald Wallace and Boston's 2015 first-round pick

Boston needs a center. End of story. The Celtics can play Pekovic alongside Kelly Olynyk and/or Jared Sullinger, and they have a stable of first-rounders they can fork over who help them pawn Wallace off on the Timberwolves. This deal accelerates their rebuild, gives them ample reason to re-sign Rajon Rondo and doesn't deplete their collection of young prospects, whom they can either build around or use as trade fodder.

Rebranding efforts in mind, the Hornets look a lot like the Bobcats this year. They rank in the bottom six of defensive efficiency one season after finishing in the top six, their offense is broken and Kidd-Gilchrist will be eligible for an extension this summer.

Brewer can help replace some of the athleticism Kidd-Gilchrist takes with him, and both he and Martin add instant offensive firepower. The latter's wrist injury could hold things up, but this is a deal that simultaneously forces the Hornets to play Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh more while increasing their chances at turning things around.

(In the event Charlotte doesn't bite, an alternative deal would have Boston send Brandon Bass, Wallace and a first-rounder or two to Minnesota for Pekovic and Martin.)

On the Timberwolves' side of the table, coach, president and part-owner Flip Saunders needs to feel bulletproof. Moving Pekovic and Martin opens minutes for the up-and-coming Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine long term; netting Biyombo and Kidd-Gilchrist gives them two more prospects to evaluate this season.

Rolling with this deal also enhances the value of the Timberwolves' draft pick. They wouldn't be tanking, but they would flirt with one of the league's worst records and the lottery opulence it guarantees.

Housing Wallace for the next two seasons is a small price to pay for deepening a well of young talent. And after this trade, the Timberwolves—who already boast Andrew Wiggins, Thaddeus Young, Anthony Bennett, Shabazz Muhammad, Glenn Robinson III, LaVine and Dieng—would have themselves a bottomless pool of possibilities.

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No complaints from me about any the above trade conjecture.  Why any team would be sanguine about assuming Wallace's salary beats me, but they'd be getting a warrior—albeit an ancient one.

It should be a fascinating trading period.  Whatever happens, we can be sure Danny will probably be in the thick of it.

Sam

first time I've wanted to trust anything coming from bleacher report...sure be nice to get a real center

sorry guys Pekovic is no rim protector or defensive player.

sorry to hear pekovic doesn't play D

his arms are shorter than KO's

The two trade stories are confusing. The first one is about Jeff Green to Charlotte, but who does Charlotte have that Boston would want? Who would play small forward with Green gone? It's all about Green filling a hole for Charlotte but nothing about what the trade might do for Boston. Trades need to work both ways.

The second scenario doesn't even involve Green. As far as I can tell, it has the Celtics giving up Gerald Wallace and two draft picks and getting Nicola Pekovic in return. If that's the deal, then sure, take it. Boston would move Wallace and get a center, even if one with asterisks attached.

Pekovic is a good scorer and rebounder, but he's not a good defender. Still, those are secondary considerations; my first worry is that he's not durable. He's never come close to playing a full season, and he is out for an extended period again right now.

I'd rather have Gorgui Dieng from Minnesota. Jeff Green for Pekovic wouldn't be a good deal, in my opinion, especially since they wouldn't get a small forward back in this deal, but Gerald Wallace? Sure.

Just looking at him, Pekovic has to be the strongest guy in the league, so there's that.

Dieng is a shot blocker, but doesn't have NBA center bulk. Could he hold his position as a strong-side man-to-man defender in the low blocks? Pekovic isn't a shot blocker but he's immensely strong, hard to move off his spot.

Bottom line: we need someone who can replace Kelly's time @ 5. He's a stretch 4. Period.


bob

Hi,
This trade makes sense, kind of. Celtics took GW's horrible contract for the price of 3 1st round picks, now they're giving that contract and 1 pick for a so-so center.
The question is will this trade move them in the direction of becoming a contender?

AK

I said before I'd like Dieng.

IF Minny is looking to get RID of Pekovic or keep Dieng, tells you all you need to know, I would think.


I'll take one of Dieng and another Zeller please..they can have Bass, Thornton, Green, Wallace, Turner, Fav, Pressey, Powell and a couple drafts picks ( pick three please).