Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, speaking at a Monday morning press conference to introduce the team's draft picks, voiced confidence that the C's will re-sign free agent forward Jeff Green.
"Nothing is done, but we intend to have Jeff back," Ainge said.
Ainge later sounded even more confident that a deal would be done by the July 11 deadline, saying: "We're going to enter a contract with him, hopefully by the end of the moratorium."
Green, acquired in the trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder during the 2010-11 season, missed all of last season after he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required surgery. Green's agent, David Falk, praised Ainge's handling of the situation.
Green, the fifth overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Georgetown, is averaging 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 33.6 minutes over four NBA seasons. In 26 games with the Celtics at the end of the 2010-11 season, he averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 boards in 23.4 minutes.
Also Monday, Ainge indicated that there is no resolution regarding possible contracts for two of the team's other free agents, Ray Allen and Brandon Bass.
The Celtics intend to stay under the luxury tax apron of $74 million and use the full mid-level exception.
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