Boston Celtics Prepare to Give Jeff Green an Excessive 4 Year, $40 Million Deal

The Boston Celtics are reportedly ready to agree with Jeff Green on a 4 year, $40 million deal.  Even after all the excessive free-agent contracts agreed to earlier in this week, Green's rumored deal is shocking.

Green, in short, is not a good NBA player. His best season, statistically, was probably back in 2008-09 when he averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. His team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, finished 23-59. Despite Oklahoma City's poor record, they actually fared better when Green was off the court. This has been a consistent trend throughout Green's career—his team plays better when he is not playing.  

The reason teams improve when Jeff Green is off the floor is deceptively simple: He is a forgettable and easily replaceable player. His career player efficiency rating is a completely mediocre 12.8, and there are plenty of players that can be plugged into Green's role and perform it better. Most of those players, needless to say, will never be offered $40 million contracts.

Green's lack of ability is not the only thing that is stunning about the scope of the Celtics' proposed offer. Green missed all of last season with an aortic aneurysm. You would think a serious health problem would make Boston reticent to offer such a long-term commitment; however, the Celtics are apparently not concerned.

Jeff Green is a lucky man because he is about to sign a contract that comically overrates his value.