Adding Josh Green wasn't exactly the most exciting news for the Utah Jazz. Not because he was bad by any means, but he has become an NBA journeyman, so it's not like his value was that high. The Jazz did it simply to open up a roster spot and also open up some cap room.
However, after such a tailspin to start this season, Green has been a surprisingly bright spot. It's not like he's dominating his minutes by any means, but when the Jazz asked him to fill in as a starter last night, he did a pretty good job, all things considered.
Green isn't a star, but he was a vital part of an NBA Finals team. No, the Jazz are not at that level, and it may be a while before they reach it. However, the early results suggest Green can be a meaningful contributor.
His traditional numbers won't wow anyone, but Utah's net rating has been a plus-22 with Green on the floor. In fact, among their consistent role players, he's the only one who has a positive net rating on the floor, at plus-four. Everyone else's net rating on the floor has been negative.
Green will not save the Jazz's season. That's not what he does, but after being the centerpiece of a pretty ho-hum trade late in the offseason, he may very well become a pretty valuable contributor to this team once they finally get healthy.
Remember that Utah acquired him for a disappointing lottery pick (Cody Williams) and a player Minnesota waived (John Konchar), that's a pretty slick move from the Jazz's front office.
In case you were wondering, yes, we are grasping at straws for any positive developments from this miserable Jazz season (besides Darryn Peterson's progress). Green holding up on his end isn't a game-changer, but at least it's something positive.
The question will be if they see him as a player or a trade chip
Green is doing what Utah asks him to do and luckily aren't asking him to go out of his comfort zone. They can't ask for anything more. If and when the Jazz get healthy again, and they start to play better, the question will be how they see Green going forward.
A decently sized expiring contract like his will be hard for them to ignore if they turn their season around. They have a hole to climb out of first, but if they do, Green's deal can still be used to get someone better if Utah thinks that's the best option and they are good enough to make it happen.
Green has played well enough that there is no wrong choice here. First, though, we need to see Utah win some games. Even if things continue to go wrong, they can take comfort knowing Green's play won't be one of their problems.
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