The Boston Celtics have officially reclaimed Jeff Green, ending roughly a month of speculation about his status.
The two parties had agreed to verbal terms several weeks ago, but finally made things official with Wednesday’s signing of a deal believed to be worth $36 million over four years.
Green, a versatile 6-foot-9 small forward, missed all of the 2011-2012 season with an aortic aneurysm that was discovered during a routine physical prior to the season. The fifth overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft had averaged 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in better than 32 minutes per game during the 2010-11 season while playing for both Oklahoma City and Boston. The Celtics acquired him and Nenad Krstic and a future first-round draft pick on Feb. 24, 2011 in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Kendric Perkins and Nate Robinson.
“We are thrilled to have Jeff back with the Celtics,” said Boston President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge on the team’s website. “Jeff’s versatility on offense and ability to guard players out on the perimeter is something that we are looking forward to having on the court this season.”
Green recorded a double-double of 20 points and a career-high tying 15 boards against Washington in his first start as Celtic on April 11, 2011, while also adding four assists and two steals.
He wound up averaging 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds over more than 23 minutes per game for the Celtics that season, but had struggled to be consistent at times.
He was expected to fully settle into coach Doc Rivers’ offense in what was supposed to have been his first full season in Boston last year, only to be sidelined with the heart issue and have his contract voided by the Celtics.
The former Georgetown star is averaging 13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 315 career games.
