Boston Celtics free agency, trade rumors 2016: Gerald Green returning, Tyler Zeller staying

An explosive player is returning to the Boston Celtics as former slam dunk champion Gerald Green reportedly agreed to a one-year deal which is going to earn him $1.4 million. 

(Reuters/Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports)Veteran forward Gerald Green (left) is returning to the Boston Celtics this free agency.

Green can be considered a journeyman in the National Basketball Association (NBA) but his career began in Boston. The Celtics selected him 18th overall in the 2005 draft and he spent two seasons with the franchise.

During Green's time with the C's, he was mainly a reserve and even saw action in the NBA Developmental League (D-League). The 30-year-old's biggest accomplishment in his first stint with the team is winning the slam dunk contest in the 2007 All-Star Weekend. 

After playing for the Celtics, Green had stops with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks. Following these, he played internationally and again graced the NBA D-League before coming back to the NBA. 

In Green's return, he suited up for the then-New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and the Miami Heat. 

Last season with the Heat, Green saw action in 69 games (14 starts) and averaged 8.9 points with 2.4 rebounds per outing. 

The addition of Green provides veteran leadership to the Celtics' young core. Along with this, he is also likely to improve the squad's bench production. 

Another move for the Celtics this off-season is the re-signing of center Tyler Zeller who is a restricted free agent.

Zeller will soon ink a two-year pact reportedly worth $16 million and the second year of the deal is a team option.

Similar with Green, Zeller is expected to come off the bench especially with veteran center Al Horford being acquired by Boston in free agency. 

The Celtics are now looking like a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference and are ready to challenge the teams that also improved their rosters this off-season. 

For the past two years, the C's made it to the postseason but were always eliminated in the first round. 

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