Celtics could be interested in bringing back Gerald Green

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With the New Jersey Nets in talks of a potential trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Joe Johnson, the domino effect might make its way all the way to Causeway Street.

The addition of Johnson could make the Nets less likely to re-sign Gerald Green, which might then open the door for a potential return to Boston for the former Celtic.

Green, whose youth and immaturity factored heavily in his struggles during his first stint with the C's, returned to the NBA this past season (he had been out since 2009) following a strong showing in the D-League.

In 31 games with the Nets, Green averaged 12.9 points while shooting 48 percent from the field and 39 percent on 3s -- both career highs.

He has at least one fan among the C's hierarchy: head coach Doc Rivers.

Prior to facing Green and the Nets earlier this past season, Rivers made it clear that he was pulling for Green to continue on the course of getting his once-promising NBA career back on track.

"He's not a bad kid," Rivers said. "He's never been a bad kid. He just needed some direction. Sometimes, you have to go through hard times to make it. And I'm really hoping he makes it."

Rivers added, "People look at Gerald and they just saw this freak athlete that won the (2007) dunk contest. Gerald can make shots. He can really shoot the basketball. He just hadn't been taught how to play basketball. I hope it works out for him."

Green, 26, is not a player that ranks at or near the top of the Celtics' wish list. But depending on how free agency plays out, that could change quickly.

Boston has already reached out to representatives for Jamal Crawford -- a player CSNNE.com said last month would be a player of interest to Boston during free agency -- as well as those for Ray Allen, O.J. Mayo, Nick Young and Jason Terry.

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