Jeff Green to Charlotte? (Idea)

[Al91]

Hey all,

Longtime reader, first time poster.

Not going to get into the nitty gritty but like many of you, I've been a Celtics fan since I began watching basketball. I grew up in northern CT so naturally the Cs were my team. However I've since moved to Alabama for work so I've had to appreciate any NBA action I can get. In the past year or so I've become much more interested in the entire league while maintaining my affection for the Cs.

In either case, one of Charlotte's glaring holes is a reliable small forward (wait, Jeff Green, reliable??). Does anyone else think a trading Jeff Green to Charlotte for some expirings/junk would benefit both teams moving forward?

Jeff isn't #1, we all know this. He wouldn't be that #1 option on Charlotte behind Big Al or Kemba. I think this team's makeup is near perfect for someone like Jeff who needs to slip behind other players to be effective. And Charlotte is a team sorta on the rise, I'm sure the fans would love to see some highlight dunks with some of Jeff's play from last year in their new teal and purple unis.

[Who]

I don't think Charlotte is going to look for a new SF just yet. MKG is still an interesting young player and has shown good improvement (defensively) this season. I think they'll give him another 12-18 months to show some offensive improvement before looking elsewhere for other options at starting SF.

I do think the Bobcats will look to upgrade it's starting lineup but I would expect that to happen at the SG or PF position. A new SG instead of Gerald Henderson. More of a shooter. Someone who can space the floor at a high level and balance out Kemba Walker (mediocre shooter) and MKG's (lousy shooter) lackluster shooting.

But MKG, I think he is safe for the time being at SF. His defense + rebounding is truly impressive. Not to mention his physical gifts and mental makeup. Too intriguing to write off just yet.

[Lucky17]

TP, and welcome to the blog from a fellow transplanted Nutmeg Stater.

Basically, what Who said. If MKG were capable of playing the 2, I could see Charlotte being interested in Green. Or, if Charlotte viewed green as a stretch 4, or as a 6th man. But I don't think any of those scenarios are likely, unfortunately.

[PhoSita]

Right now, Atlanta would be my biggest hope as a landing spot for Jeff Green.

With a healthy Horford next season, they might be in line to take over the #2 spot in the East from  Indiana, building off their playoff run this season.  Or at least, perhaps they will see themselves that way. 

That could convince them to give up a package like Carroll + Schroeder + Jenkins (a couple solid cost-controlled players and a point guard prospect) for Green, or maybe even throw in a 1st round pick (unlikely). 

Green would be a nice complementary scoring option for that team, with Teague, Korver, Millsap, and Horford already in place, and it would move Lou Williams to his ideal role -- 6th man.

[pearljammer10]

TP, and welcome to the blog from a fellow transplanted Nutmeg Stater.

Basically, what Who said. If MKG were capable of playing the 2, I could see Charlotte being interested in Green. Or, if Charlotte viewed green as a stretch 4, or as a 6th man. But I don't think any of those scenarios are likely, unfortunately.

Agree with Who as well. Also MKG had a nice playoff game or two under his belt and should only improve from here.

[Lucky17]

Right now, Atlanta would be my biggest hope as a landing spot for Jeff Green.

With a healthy Horford next season, they might be in line to take over the #2 spot in the East from  Indiana, building off their playoff run this season.  Or at least, perhaps they will see themselves that way.  That could convince them to give up a package like Carroll + Schroeder + Jenkins for Green, or maybe even throw in a 1st round pick (unlikely). 

Green would be a nice complementary scoring option for that team, with Teague, Korver, Millsap, and Horford already in place, and it would move Lou Williams to his ideal role -- 6th man.

Aren't they quite bullish on Carroll, though, Pho? Silly that he might be the dealbreaker, but Green didn't outproduce him by much this season, if I recall.

Assume Atlanta says, yes, but no Demarre in the deal. What would an alternate package look like?

[jambr380]

TP, and welcome to the blog from a fellow transplanted Nutmeg Stater.

Basically, what Who said. If MKG were capable of playing the 2, I could see Charlotte being interested in Green. Or, if Charlotte viewed green as a stretch 4, or as a 6th man. But I don't think any of those scenarios are likely, unfortunately.

With the dearth of above average sgs in the league today, some may view Green as the answer at that position. I realize he isn't your prototypical "2", but he is quick, can spread the floor and would be a monster defensively. The fact is, most of the best sgs are pgs.

[PhoSita]

Right now, Atlanta would be my biggest hope as a landing spot for Jeff Green.

With a healthy Horford next season, they might be in line to take over the #2 spot in the East from  Indiana, building off their playoff run this season.  Or at least, perhaps they will see themselves that way.  That could convince them to give up a package like Carroll + Schroeder + Jenkins for Green, or maybe even throw in a 1st round pick (unlikely). 

Green would be a nice complementary scoring option for that team, with Teague, Korver, Millsap, and Horford already in place, and it would move Lou Williams to his ideal role -- 6th man.

Aren't they quite bullish on Carroll, though, Pho? Silly that he might be the dealbreaker, but Green didn't outproduce him by much this season, if I recall.

Assume Atlanta says, yes, but no Demarre in the deal. What would an alternate package look like?

I can't imagine why they'd be bullish on Carroll.  I think he's basically a finished product.  A nice, replacement level SF. 

Green is definitely a better scorer, but he's not too much better in any other area.  But Atlanta is the kind of situation I think of as an ideal fit for Green.  Lots of floor spacing, and multiple scoring threats around him.  Low pressure.  Also a low pressure, low scrutiny town.

If Atlanta says no Demarre in the deal, perhaps a package can be worked out with Lou Williams as the centerpiece coming from Atlanta, along with a pick. 

If I'm not mistaken, Atlanta will have cap space this off-season, so making salaries match perfectly shouldn't be necessary.

[Al91]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Good observations, I definitely hadn't considered MKG in regards to the possibility of Jeff heading to Charlotte. I do like the idea of Jeff going to ATL.

I was the biggest Jeff Green fan and supporter since he came her, through surgery, and his play since. I even bought one of his shirts from the proshop a year or two ago. But enough is enough for me, I'm tired of the lackluster play and tired of enjoying the likes of the Suns, Bobcats, Hawks, etc. over my own Cs.

[Smitty77]

TP, and welcome to the blog from a fellow transplanted Nutmeg Stater.

Basically, what Who said. If MKG were capable of playing the 2, I could see Charlotte being interested in Green. Or, if Charlotte viewed green as a stretch 4, or as a 6th man. But I don't think any of those scenarios are likely, unfortunately.

Agree with Who as well. Also MKG had a nice playoff game or two under his belt and should only improve from here.

MKG had ONE nice playoff game.  Here are his efficiency ratings per game:  Game 1: +10; Game 2:  +27; Game 3:  -4; Game 4:  +8.  That averages out to a 10.25 PER for the series.  Not exactly setting the world on fire.

Smitty77

[Smitty77]

TP, and welcome to the blog from a fellow transplanted Nutmeg Stater.

Basically, what Who said. If MKG were capable of playing the 2, I could see Charlotte being interested in Green. Or, if Charlotte viewed green as a stretch 4, or as a 6th man. But I don't think any of those scenarios are likely, unfortunately.

With the dearth of above average sgs in the league today, some may view Green as the answer at that position. I realize he isn't your prototypical "2", but he is quick, can spread the floor and would be a monster defensively. The fact is, most of the best sgs are pgs.

Nice point.  Jeff can really play SG, SF, and PF for the Cats.  He would be a useful player for them.  I would try to get Biyombo and Haywood IF we cannot get a center.  Fair to me.

Smitty77

[Rondo9]

TP, and welcome to the blog from a fellow transplanted Nutmeg Stater.

Basically, what Who said. If MKG were capable of playing the 2, I could see Charlotte being interested in Green. Or, if Charlotte viewed green as a stretch 4, or as a 6th man. But I don't think any of those scenarios are likely, unfortunately.

Agree with Who as well. Also MKG had a nice playoff game or two under his belt and should only improve from here.

MKG had one good playoff game, everything else he stunk.

[Lucky17]

Interesting.

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/2190/summer-scoop-next-for-charlotte

The buzz around the soon-to-be-resurrected Hornets is that a dependable small forward will surely be their top target in free agency ... and MJ will again have money to spend, if he can find a willing taker.

Or Charlotte could certainly opt for trades to fill its nagging holes at both small forward and backup point guard if it fears the usual chilly summer chasing players on the open market. The rumbles have already begun that two players Clifford is said to regard with real fondness after working with them in Orlando as an assistant -- swingman Arron Afflalo and backup point guard Jameer Nelson -- will be among the Bobcats' trade targets.

Nelson, 32, is entering the final season of his contract at $8 million, but only $2 million of that is guaranteed if Nelson is waived by July 15. Afflalo, 28, is due to earn $7.5 million next season and has a player option for 2015-16, also valued at $7.5 million.

[jaketwice]

Big Al is, without question, the best low post scorer in the game. He makes the players around him better. Whether the answer for Charlotte is Jeff Green... ...who can say?

Charlotte has traditionally had trouble attracting marquee free agents. The Big Al signing was a coup. I would love to see them have some success (although not more than the Celtics). Green has a longer term deal, and could definitely contribute to a winner.

[HomerSapien]

After watching the MIA-CHA series and seeing all the minutes the goggled Chris Douglas-Roberts is able to play by default, I have been thinking along the same lines as the OP that Jeff Green and Charlotte would be a great match.  The presence of MKG definitely makes the situation more tricky, but if either Green or MKG can be comfortable as a heavy minute bench player I really like the lineup flexibility for the '14-'15 Hornets.

Traditional line-up: AJ-McBob-Green-Henderson (or FA SG)-Kemba.  Insert MKG for Green for more defensive look
Green Stretch 4: AJ-Green-MKG-SG-Kemba.  Green and MKG both can defend wing, Green can guard PF, and both guys can hold own on the glass.
Small ball: McBob-Green-MKG-SG-Kemba. If they find themselves "Hibberted" in a matchup like Indiana has with the Hawks, this more mobile 3 point shooting lineup should hold its own.
Wing heavy defense: AJ-McBob-MKG-Green-Kemba.  I could see having MKG and Green on the court to tag team defense on a wing scorer like Lebron, Melo, etc. while still leaving a reasonably potent offense.

Jeff Green's flexibility definitely makes him an appealing player to have on an NBA roster IMO.  In fact, I will not be at all sad if he is still a Celtic come next year.  That said, I think he will be much more effective when he can just be one of the guys, and not need to shoulder the load that Boston will need him to (and he really isn't capable of doing consistently). 

If CHA have interest in Green, and can get MKG comfortable that they aren't giving up on him, I think they have the right assets to make an attractive offer to the C's (picks, Biyombo, Zeller, Taylor are all interesting) that I'd be in favor of taking, and it would probably be to the long-term benefit of Jeff Green's career to make the move too.

ATL also seems a good fit for Green, but the Hornets are the team I've given more thought to.