Reports emerged late Friday that had the Celtics and the Grizzlies agreeing on a deal that would send Jeff Green to Memphis.
While the trade seems likely to occur once a third team can be brought in to help facilitate things, the deal had yet to be completed before games began Friday night.
And that means there’s some wiggle room left, at least in the eyes of the Celtics.
Green was held out of Boston’s contest in Indiana, but the Grizzlies did no such thing with Tayshaun Prince, who was rumored to be gone in the proposed deal. Prince logged first quarter minutes off the bench for the Grizzlies in New Orleans, and since it’s clear that nothing has been finalized, the Celtics will keep their ears open in case a better offer for Green ends up materializing.
From Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald:
With Boston this close to dealing Green, other teams know that any discussions they might have would be well beyond the stages of posturing. Green is available, and teams know that he’s on the verge of going to Memphis. But with nothing having yet been finalized, the door is open for someone to swoop in with a better offer that could give Boston more in terms of assets for the future.
It’s unlikely at this point. But the fact that the deal didn’t get done as it was coming together, along with Memphis allowing Prince to play when he was reportedly a part of those discussions has to give other teams hope if in fact there is one or more out there which may be serious in obtaining Green’s services.