The Boston Celtics will have trade targets at the trading deadline in 2015, as names like Jeff Green, Evan Turner, Brandon Bass, Brandan Wright and Gerald Wallace all could be potential options for teams and this comes as the Memphis Grizzlies have looked into trading for Jeff Green or Luol Deng from the Miami Heat as they try and make a championship run.
The Celtics already made one major move with Rajon Rondo and now they could look at making another big trade with Green. According to ESPN.com, no trade is imminent, but the Grizzlies are looking into making a major move at the deadline in February, with Deng and Green as their top options. Stein writes that Memphis wants more offense on the wing and that they would be willing to trade Tayshaun Prince for it. The Celtics actually could be interested in Prince, as he has an expiring deal that will be off the books following this season.
Memphis has been one of the best teams in the NBA this season and with Miami and Boston below .500, the Grizz feel that a deal can be made. The Grizzlies are looking at Deng also after he signed a two year deal with the Miami Heat, but with Miami at 15-20 right now, they could be willing to make a deal. The Celtics are motivated to trade Green and the Grizzlies come in looking for more scoring, as they are ranked 14th in the league and are 25-10 on the season in first place in the southwest.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics are likely to trade Green this season, as he has the chance to be a free agent and they will not want to lose him for nothing. The team had the same logic for Rajon Rondo and while the deal wasn't as good as it would have been a year ago, the Celtics are happy with their haul. The team is rebuilding with Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and James Young and adding picks of young players for Green would be another step in that direction.
The report from last month from Pro Basketball Talk has league execs and sources telling A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com that the market next summer for Green will be fierce and could rival the market for Rajon Rondo. The article isn't saying that Green will get more money than Rondo, but that teams will be looking to sign him just as much as Rondo. Green can opt out of his deal to be an unrestricted free agent and while the contract is for $9.2 million, based on this season Green should be able to get more than that.
One thing that is in the favor of the Celtics is the fact that Green is playing at a high level and is averaging the most points per game of his career. Green is leading the team in scoring and now that Rondo is gone, he has had to be a sort of leader on the court as well. The Grizzlies are looking for scoring and Green could be a strong option, as Stein writes that he has played better defense than he did last season. Green will be a target for other teams and the Grizzlies may have to give up a decent pick to get him.