Celtics could pursue Danny Green

By Quixem Ramirez
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Apr 4, 2012; Boston, MA USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Daniel Green (4) drives the ball against Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen (20) in the first quarter at the TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE

San Antonio isn’t generally a huge participant in free agency but they will attempt to keep together a core that pieced together yet another 50 win season. Re-signing Danny Green seems to be pretty important among the Spurs’ free agency plans. Given that Green is a restricted free agent, the Spurs will have the right to match any offer sheet.

Could the Boston Celtics step in and drive the price up on Green? Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe believes so. Here’s his take on the situation:

“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.”

Considering the Celtics are likely to lose Ray Allen, it makes sense that they would bring in a guy who can stretch the defense and, simultaneously, buy into the defensive principles that made Boston the No. 1 ranked defense in the league. Green is a logical solution and likely won’t cost that much compared to other perimeter shooters.

Prior to the season, though, Green wasn’t very highly thought of.

He was buried on the depth chart behind James Anderson (remember him?), Kawhi Leonard, Gary Neal and Richard Jefferson prior to the season. Green began his ascent to the top of the depth chart after his 24-point performance in a four point victory over the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 7.

He parlayed that performance into 38 regular season starts and the best 3-point percentage among Spurs with at least 40 games played in San Antonio, converting on 43.6% of his long range shots. In the deadly corner, Green improved to 46% shooting. Though Green was nonexistent in the Western Conference Finals, he will still provide any team with energy, defense and perimeter shooting.

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