Jeff Green: Celtics Reportedly Agree to New Deal with Versatile Big Man

The Boston Celtics have reached a new deal to extend forward Jeff Green’s contract. 

Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported the news via Twitter:

"

The Celtics and Jeff Green have agreed to the framework of a deal, his agent, David Falk, told @CBSSports.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 7, 2012"

Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated noted that the deal would keep Green in Boston for several seasons and is rumored to be a four-year contract worth approximately $40 million.

Green joined the Celtics in February of 2011 via a trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Green was originally drafted by Boston in 2007 with the fifth overall pick, but was immediately sent to the Thunder in exchange for Ray Allen.

He was averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds when he was sent back to Boston. Green was playing 37 minutes a game in OKC, but got only 23.5 minutes per night with the Celtics.

His stats dropped because of that, and Green’s partial season with the Celtics was largely unimpressive. He put up 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Still, Green is a versatile forward who can score in the post and on the perimeter. Boston general manager Danny Ainge hoped Green would add another dimension to the Celtics offense, but had to wait a season to see if trading for him would pay off.

The forward had been diagnosed with a heart condition, which required surgery this past January and caused him to miss the entire 2012 season.

Boston managed to reach the Eastern Conference finals without Green and took the Miami Heat to seven games before being eliminated. 

An athletic forward who can stretch the floor would undoubtedly give the team a boost as it tries to make another deep playoff run.