It’s that time of year, unfortunately… time to talk about potential free agent targets. One of the nuggets in yesterday’s Globe had to do with one of those potential targets… Spurs swing man Danny Green.
An emerging player on the Celtics’ radar could be San Antonio restricted free agent Danny Green, who had a solid playoff stretch with the Spurs and is one of the league’s most improved players. Green started most of the postseason games for San Antonio, and because he is a second-round pick under the Arenas rule, the Spurs can match any offer to him. The Celtics will be seeking an athletic swingman who can play defense and has long-range shooting skills.
Is Green worth pursuing? I figured I’d ask an expert, Jeff Garcia of Project Spurs… who gives us this take on Green:
Should the Celtics sign Danny Green, Boston will be getting quite the solid role player who will fit seamlessly with the Celtics.
He will be coming from the Spurs’ system and will make a quick transition. Playing for coach Pop to coach Doc can only enhance his basketball growth and not to mention bring in the championship mentality San Antonio and Pop is known for.
He averaged 9.1 points, 1.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds, shot 44% from the field, and shot 43% from the three-point line in 23.1 minutes during the the regular season. He later would find himself inserted into the starting lineup and became a key contributor throughout the Spurs’ season. However, he wilted in the playoffs when the Spurs needed him most — the Western Conference Finals. In the playoffs, he averaged 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, shot 41% from the field, and 34% from the three-point line. Against the Thunder, he averaged 3.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, shot 36% from the field, and 17% from the three-point line. One has to wonder about whether he can rise to the occasion should Boston need him most as well.
However, he is a very young player (he will be entering his third year), can slash to the basket, knock down shots, and could be a good player off the bench for Boston. And after a horrible performance in the playoffs for San Antonio, one can hope he will be determined to write it off as just being inexperienced and prove he can step up when his team needs him the most.
Overall, Boston can do no wrong by adding him to the roster. He will come cheap (considering he hurt his value with his lackluster play in the playoffs for the Spurs) and has played well and mixed in with a great veteran core (Ginobili, Duncan, and Parker). I see no major issues with him playing for another great trio in Boston.
The Celtics are building around Rondo, and Green seems to fit the mold of what the C’s are looking for: young, athletic, runs the floor but can also spread it with a fairly reliable jump shot and decent ability to defend.
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