The Boston Celtics are banking on Quade Green’s development

The Boston Celtics are interested in a point guard from Philadelphia, but it’s not disgruntled 76ers star Ben Simmons. Quade Green was a last-minute Maine Celtics signing, coming from the City of Brotherly Love.

Undrafted in 2021, Green got the Celtics’ attention at a local tryout. Based on Green’s accomplishments, the potential is there. The Celtics hope playing in Maine brings it out of him.

That would be a welcomed development, especially since the Maine squad lacks much buzz. There isn’t a 2021 draft pick on the roster. The Celtics’ lone draft pick, second round selection Juhann Begarin, is playing overseas with Paris Basketball of the LNB Pro A.

None of the players from Boston’s Summer League team look like anyone to get excited about. Not even Sam Hauser, who’s on a two-way contract, looked like anything special during the Las Vegas exhibitions. Maybe Bruno Fernando could refine his game, but he won’t achieve folk hero status like Tacko Fall.

So why is Quade Green someone to keep an eye on? Sometimes college isn’t enough to mature an individual. They have to face challenges, make mistakes, learn from them, and have the “I’m not a kid anymore” epiphany.

Quade Green has the talent to help out the Boston Celtics in the future

Green was a five-star recruit and a 2017 McDonald’s All-American out of Neumann-Goretti High School, leading the Saints to four state championships.

Green signed with Kentucky, but nine games into the 2018-19 season, Green left the Wildcats as his playing time decreased. He transferred to Washington for a fresh start.

Things were going well for Green as a Husky, until an academic suspension cost him the second half of the season. Did Green learn from his mistake? He said the right things to Percy Allen of the Seattle Times:

"I’m more mature now,. I can’t do the things I used to do early on in college. I’m way more mature. I’m a senior now. I’m holding myself way more accountable than I ever did in life."

Green responded by leading the Huskies in points, assists, and tied for the team lead in steals. The negative is Green wasn’t nearly as efficient as he was the previous season. His averages plummeted in shooting percentage (.514 to .428), three-point percentage (.447 to .313) and assists (5.3 to 3.6).

Green had his best season when he played with talent around him (Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels were first round picks in 2020). That could be the first step to unlocking his potential.

A great example for Green would be Tremont Waters, who was the 2020 G League rookie of the year, an All-Star, and finished third in the G League’s MVP voting. Waters was a floor general for what was the Maine Red Claws, very effective running the team, and he made his teammates better.

Waters never broke through with the Celtics, though. He was quickly surpassed by Payton Pritchard last season. Boston did not extend a qualifying offer to Waters after the 2020-21 season, and he promptly left in free agency.

For Green to flourish, like Waters, Green just has to play within himself. There will be times where he has to score more, other times he should be setting the table. Whatever the case, Green must give the team everything he can without overextending himself and becoming a liability.

To get on the court, though, Green has to earn playing time. Ryan Arcidiacono, a national championship winner with Villanova, currently starts. Chris Clemons and Jaysean Paige get playing time, but both have negative plus/minus splits.

Green had a golden opportunity Saturday night, as Arcidiacono was unavailable for the game against the Westchester Knicks. But so was Green, due to a non-COVID illness. The more mature Green knows chances like this don’t come often and he better not let the next chance pass him by.

The Boston Celtics would love to see Green’s potential start to bloom while playing for Maine, but it’s up to Green. If he’s really holding himself accountable, Green sees the opportunity is up to him. He’s not in college anymore. This is his chance. Make it count.