It ain’t easy being Green

Ex-Celtic suffering in Minny

NBA. It only seems like common sense.

The Timberwolves loved Gerald Green, so much so they wouldn’t trade Kevin Garnett to the Celtics without getting Green in return. It seemed like a match made in heaven for the supremely-talented prospect, who would get his chance to develop for a non-contender without the pressures of winning in the laid-back market of Minnesota.

But since the trade, “G-Money” has been put on layaway.

The Timberwolves declined their contract option on Green, making him a free agent after this season, and Head Coach Randy Wittman has found a spot for Green at the end of the bench.

“It’s very frustrating, especially in a time when your team is not winning, either,” said Green, who hasn’t played in 20 of the T-Wolves’ 43 games this season. “It’s very frustrating. I feel like I want to play, and I feel like I should be playing. It is what it is. I’ve just got to wait, be patient, stay positive, and they say they’re going to give me my time, so I’ve just got to wait.”

Green was selected by the Celtics with the 18th pick of the 2005 draft — a surprise, considering he was projected as a top-five talent — and received very little playing time in his rookie season. But he immediately became a fan favorite with an offensive skill set of untapped potential that was punctuated by an explosive dunking ability.

So, when Minnesota chose to rebuild by shipping out Garnett, it looked as though Green and Al Jefferson would lay the foundation for the future. After Jefferson received a five-year, $65 million contract extension last summer, only half of that theory proved true.

“I can’t really explain it,” Green said. “Wow. That’s all I can say. I don’t really know.

“I was pretty surprised [about Minnesota declining the option]. This year is a pretty surprising year for me. I was surprised about the trade. I was surprised about everything, but it’s basketball. It’s life. It’s full of surprises.”