Jeff Green heard a rumor. And he did not like it.
Someone apparently reported Green wanted out of Boston and had asked for a trade. And so, out of the blue, Green blasted the report and put things to bed:
Before you start, I just want to clear the air about some B.S. rumor that came out. I don’t know if the person who made this article is in this [group of reporters], but the rumor about me wanting to get traded is definitely false. I said that I was frustrated with losing, not frustrated with the team. So if the words didn’t come from my mouth, I’d appreciate if you do not write a dumb— article like that.
As Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes, there is no denying that Green is upset with the losing. He said as much after the Celtics’ loss to the Grizzlies on Friday, starting off the rumor mill for Green.
Of course, at the end of the day, Green may not have a choice in the matter. Trades rarely are in the players’ control. And Green is one of the more valuable assets on the trade market.
The Celtics are currently 4-8 and sitting pretty in the Eastern Conference. Green is averaging 18.4 points per game and is shooting 52.6 percent on two-point field goals (ignore his 3-point shooting for now).
If the Celtics continue to struggle and sit outside the Playoff picture, and well outside the Playoff picture, Green could very well be available for a trade. He is a very capable player that would add a ton of value to a Playoff team in need of some scoring push (boy, could the Thunder use him right about now instead of Kendrick Perkins).
Green is set to make $9.4 million this year and next (a player option for next). So he has a very attractive contract should a team want to pull the trigger.
Green may not be ready for a trade now, but it is also pretty clear that he could be the most sought-after asset that could hit the market as we get closer to the trade deadline. At some point the Celtics are going to have to make difficult decisions about their key players as they move forward. Everyone thought Rajon Rondo might be the one to go. Trading Green could help Boston restock their talent pool for Brad Stevens.
There are plenty of other options for those seeking to make a deal in this early part of the season:
Corey Brewer, Timberwolves
Aside from Green, no player has been involved in any substantial rumors as much as Corey Brewer.
Brewer is a wiry small forward with decent defensive ability and offense that comes and goes. He has often been asked to do more for his team — particularly this recent stretch with the Timberwolves — than he probably is capable of doing on a consistent basis.
Making things worse for Minnesota is all the injuries that have hit the team. Again, this has forced Brewer into more minutes than he probably should play.
Brewer is averaging 11.0 points per game in about 26 minutes per game so far this season. That could be about how much he should be playing. What Brewer gives is a consistent scoring option off the bench and someone who can play some defense in a pinch too. That is something a lot of contending teams could need.
Brewer has never really been on a Playoff team. Already though, his name has been connected to Houston as a potential trade target. What is clear though is the Wolves have a glut at small forward with Andrew Wiggins becoming the heir apparent and Chase Budinger under contract too. Brewer may be the most desirable piece to shop around.
Greg Monroe taking the qualifying offer makes him easier to trade for the front-logged Pistons. Photo by Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Monroe, Pistons
Monroe is an interesting case. He is an expiring contract thanks to signing his qualifying offer rather than get a new deal in restricted free agency. And the Pistons are a train wreck with too many power forward/post players. Monroe is kind of the odd man out.
Stan Van Gundy probably would rather get rid of Josh Smith who is more of a headache shooting 37.9 percent from the floor. But no one appears willing to take on that responsibility.
Monroe is a great offensive talent. He is a better passer than people give him credit for and he has been pretty consistent on the offensive end. Again, he is a case of a player asked to do a bit too much for his current team. And he has his defensive shortcomings too — mainly Monroe is not the strongest rim protector or rebounder.
If the Pistons feel like they cannot move forward with both Monroe and Smith together, they might have to cash in on Monroe. He could be available in a few months.
Randy Foye, Nuggets
It just feels like the Nuggets have too many chefs in the kitchen sometimes. Make that all the time.
Part of Brian Shaw‘s issue with the Nuggets is there are just so many good players and not enough minutes to go around. The Nuggets acquired Arron Afflalo and he has helped provide some stability. The versatile Randy Foye has not quite matched last year’s performance. Then again, he is still having one of the better years of his career.
Foye is a veteran combo guard that would make a team better if he is coming off the bench. The Nuggets have to re-tool a little bit. They have to at least think about it. Or, better yet, collect more assets to try for a bigger-name player.
