Retired NBA superstar Dwyane Wade has a point, right? As the NBA explodes with news of not-exactly marquee level players signing massive contracts, 6’9″ Jeff Green keeps signing one year deals for the minimum.
Wade enumerates very well the reasons Green’s underappreciated status eludes him. Green is “never injured… never a problem in the locker room, he’s athletic, he can shoot the 3, he can guard multiple positions and he’s not old.” Hey Jeff Green, we just found your new agent, and his name is Mr. Wade, DWade.
Consider that Green is also a former top 5 pick in the NBA draft, being selected at the five spot by Boston (and sent to Seattle) in 2007. Green’s basketball bona fides have never been in doubt, and he’s a former Georgetown Hoyas star. Add his 7’1″ wingspan and — as Wade points out, he plays actual defense — and Green’s market value does seem like a mystery.
Green just hasn’t quite found the fit that makes him indispensible, like similar role players at franchises like Golden State and San Antonio. Green has played for seven teams in his 12 year NBA career so far. And according to Wade, he needs new representation. The veteran’s minimum Green signed for with the Utah Jazz is $2.5 million.