First off, let me say that I expect Jeff Green will be traded at some point between now and the February trade deadline. However, I am still wrestling with how badly I want to actually see it happen.
Jeff Green and Rondo both posed similar problems for the Celtics this year, but I view their futures with the team very differently.
The Rondo trade made a lot of sense to me, because IMO there was only a very specific set of circumstances with him on the roster that would see the Celtics become a dangerous playoff team anytime soon. He would have to be signed to a long term max or near max contract (probably not going to resign and a very risky financial proposition given recent performance), he would need to be surrounded with a specific supporting cast of players that aren't currently present on the Celtics (and they aren't walking through that door), and he'd have to play better (more made FGs and FTs, fewer turnovers).
Jeff Green, on the other hand, seems to me to be almost the exact opposite. Defensively, he has the size, length and athleticism to defend both the 3 and the 4, and even sometimes the 2. On offense, he can score effectively from behind the 3-point line or driving to the hoop, and on the break or in the half court. His disposition also seems to lend itself to almost any role the team asks of him. This season he's taken a lead role as a scorer just often enough to be relied on as one of the go to guys, but also doesn't require being "the man" so no matter how the young core shifts and develops I could see him as ok with a leading role or being moved to a supporting role and has some value to both contenders and rebuilding teams.
If Jeff Green could be re-upped for 3 years / $36M - $45M, or 4 years / $54M I think I'd be ok with bringing him back because of the versatility I mentioned, and because I expect he'll maintain reasonable trade value given the lack of quality wings on many teams in the NBA right now.
So where do you come down on trading Jeff Green? What type of package will make you want to part company with him? I'm thinking I'd like to see a promising young player and/or a 1st rounder likely to be in the teens or low 20's to make it worth our while.