NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics to Void Jeff Green's Contract

Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green will miss the entire 2011-12 season with a heart condition that requires surgery, leaving the Celtics with a tough decision.

Green recently just signed a $9 million contract to keep him in a Celtics uniform this season, but Boston has made the decision to void Green's deal.

It's really the only option they have considering the savings for this year.

If they kept Green's contract on the books and applied for a $4.5 medical exemption, it would cost them $27 million in luxury taxes, given the dollar-for-dollar factor for this season in the new CBA.

That's way too rich for the Celtics, or any other team for that matter.

Voiding Green's $9 million doesn't mean the Celtics will have that much to spend, since they were over the salary cap to begin with.

Instead, they will have to find a much cheaper alternative.

They only have the veteran's minimum to offer, but are currently looking at available free agents. A replacement for Green could come from a list that includes DeShawn Stevenson, James Posey, Al Thornton and others.

Green's injury could also help rookie Gilbert Brown sneak onto the roster. Brown, from Pitt, is an athletic defender that could give head coach Doc Rivers more bench flexibility on the wing.