4 Best Potential Jeff Green Trades for Boston Celtics to Pursue

All things considered, the Boston Celtics have quite a bit going for them.

Under second-year head coach Brad Stevens, the team has at least started to forge a coherent offensive identity, their young players have shown fleeting flashes of promise, and the front office appears guided by a sustainable approach to asset acquisition and management.

For all its current woes, the future is a bright one for Boston.

That said, we'repretty sure Jeff Green isn’t a part of that long-term equation.

After describing his frustration level as being at “an all-time high” in a recent interview with CSN New England’s A. Sherrod Blakely, it seems that Green—currently in the midst of a career season—isn’t long for the parquet floors.

With Green weighing a $9.2 million player option for the 2014-15 season, his place on the trade block was always inevitable. Following these latest comments, he might’ve moved to the top of the Celtics’ priority list.

What follows, then, are four potential trade packages Boston would be wise to pursue, particularly in light of Green’s trade value being, in the eyes of one NBA executive, "as strong, if not stronger," than it is for Rajon Rondo (per Blakely).

They might not fetch the greatest hauls because of the risk inherent in any team rolling the dice on Green exercising his option.

But it sure beats getting nothing.

Trade 1: Detroit Pistons

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Detroit Pistons get: Jeff Green, protected 2015 first-round pick

Boston Celtics get: Greg Monroe, Luigi Datome

Back in July, our good friend Brian Robb posed a similar idea, albeit one involving the endlessly frustrating Josh Smith in lieu of Greg Monroe.

With Smith continuing to play some of the worst basketball of his career, it seems unlikely any team—even the doldrum-inclined Celtics—would dare roll the dice on an additional two years and $28 million in salary.

Monroe, by comparison, should be an easy sell. This past summer’s failed contract negotiation made him all but a shoo-in to flee following this season.

And while Monroe’s no-trade clause could be seen as an impediment, there’s a real case to be made for wanting to be the frontcourt cornerstone of an improving—though still certifiably lottery-bound—Boston team. Obviously, having some sort of handshake agreement with Monroe on a new contract would be paramount to the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Green gives Detroit a legitimate option at small forward and a little bit of insurance in the form of a first-round pick in the event Green decides to take his talents elsewhere.

Trade 2: New York Knicks

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New York Knicks get: Jeff Green, 2015 second-round pick

Boston Celtics get: Andrea Bargnani, Tim Hardaway Jr.

During his first six-plus months as team president, Phil Jackson has proven he’s more than willing to think outside the box when it comes to the future of his New York Knicks. Case in point: dealing Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton for Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert and a pair of unproven young players (Wayne Ellington and Shane Larkin).

With Andrea Bargnani having yet to hit the floor this season, it’s worth wondering whether his only real value, at this point, lies in his expiring contract.

Enter Green, whose reputation as an exceedingly intelligent player (purportedly mastering the Princeton offense while at Georgetown) would bode well for Derek Fisher’s triangle system. Having Green would also allow Carmelo Anthony more time at the 4, where he’s proven especially potent over the past few seasons.

With the Knicks eyeing oodles of cap room for the upcoming season, it’s possible they hammer out a reasonable, short-term deal with Green. This move would both allow Green one more semi-big payday before he turns 30 and give the Knicks flexibility to deal him in short order should another roster blowup need to occur.

As for the Celtics, add another pick to the litter. And don't sleep on Hardaway Jr., whose score-first mentality offers Brad Stevens a refreshing contrast to his current logjam of D-first wings.

Trade 3: Memphis Grizzlies

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Memphis Grizzlies get: Jeff Green

Boston Celtics get: Tayshaun Prince, Jordan Adams, 2015 second-round pick, 2016 second-round pick

Thus begins our two-part suite of trades involving teams on the cusp of contention.

At 11-2, the Grizzlies are off to their best start in franchise history. Following a season in which they barely managed to snag the Western Conference’s seventh seed, Grit and Grind has its sights set squarely on the Finals. And for good reason.

But that doesn't mean the Griz should be content with standing pat. Here's Rant Sports' Cody Williams on what he sees as Memphis' most expendable commodity:

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Now that [Quincy] Pondexter is healthy and that Vince Carter has joined the team, there seems to be no room for Prince in the rotation. When you get past the filler, Prince is now an expendable commodity for the Grizzlies and someone they should undoubtedly look to trade if they can find a buyer.

For a team that’s looking for a veteran presence to not necessarily contribute but that can provide leadership, Prince could be a player that would peak their interest. Granted, the Grizzlies probably shouldn’t expect much in return that would help them immediately, but grabbing a second round pick and/or a prospect for Prince would be a good haul for them as they look towards the future.

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Green could be the final piece to Memphis’ puzzle, a two-way talent that can provide 90 percent of Prince’s defense and roughly 600 percent of his offense. As a third or fourth option, Green would be a boon indeed to a Grizzlies offense that remains a tier or two away from Finals-ready. He also gives them a much-needed offensive option should Marc Gasol ride the trade waters straight out of town.

For its part, Boston would be adding to its already teeming stockpile of assets. And while the addition of Jordan Adams only exacerbates the team’s logjam of defense-first backcourt types, the pair of second-round picks affords the Celtics even more future flexibility should other opportunities—be it a deal involving Rondo or some draft-day trade—arise.

Trade 4: Chicago Bulls

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Trade 4: Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls get: Jeff Green, 2015 first-round pick

Boston Celtics get: Mike Dunleavy, Nikola Mirotic

I can already hear the Chicago Bulls fans marching down my street with pitchforks and torches.

This, more than anything else, would be a win-now gambit for the Bulls. Talented and promising as Mirotic is, he’s still at least a few years from registering at full impact. At that point, who knows what the Bulls will look like?

Green, on the other hand, gives Thibodeau a reasonable analog to Luol Deng, a guy who can thrive as a defender in the right system (we're pretty sure Chicago's is a good one) while functioning as a solid ancillary playmaker at the other end. He also gives the Bulls a nifty insurance policy should Jimmy Butler—a similar player in terms of style, albeit with more upside—be lured away during restricted free agency.

Meanwhile in Beantown, Mirotic gives the Celtics a guy with proven first-round talent and one who could fit fabulously in Steven’s pass-happy offense, especially if Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk end up bolting town.

Bulls fans won’t like the idea of parting with one of their most promising draft picks in recent memory. If it winds up the price of a seventh championship? We think they’ll be willing to change their tune.