Jeff Green's Health a Major Concern for Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge is still hearing criticisms about the deal that sent Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Jeff Green at last season's trade deadline.

While not having Perkins' big body impacted the Celtics' chances in the postseason last year, not having Green could impact their chances this season.

Green is still not practicing with the team due to health concerns, and those concerns could turn into something major.

According to Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, Green is seeing a new set of doctors and they should have an answer soon.

Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald takes it a step further, confirming that the 25-year-old Green said the problem came from a stress test, which likely could be a heart problem.

His health problems are priority No. 1. As for the Celtics, though, they will be stuck if Green isn't cleared to play.

He's currently making $9 million, and it leaves Boston without a real option at small forward off the bench.

Sasha Pavlovic is the next likely option since he's already on the roster, but the absence of Green makes the Celtics a very thin team.

Rivers is already preparing to begin the season without Green, and while things like health take a precedent over basketball any day, somewhere along the line Boston may need to start thinking of a backup plan.