Former Georgetown star Jeff Green not fretting free agency during lockout

This could easily be an unnerving time for Jeff Green. Green, the former Georgetown star who finished last season as a reserve with the Boston Celtics, is a restricted free agent unable to negotiate a lucrative contract until the NBA and the players’ union can come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement. All he can do is wait and hope something gets done to save the season.

“I’ve dealt with it the best I can,” Green said in a phone interview. “I’ve tried to keep myself busy. I’m still trying to stay in the loop with things going on, but not letting it get to me. It’s tough to be in that position, to possibly be sitting out. But you just have to do what you have to do to make things happen and if it doesn’t, try to do things to take your mind off it and continue to work until you’re called back to work.”

Green has stayed occupied playing summer league basketball at the Kenner League and the Goodman League and participating in an all-star exhibition at Morgan State with LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and his friend and former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kevin Durant. “That was crazy. I loved it,” Green said of the atmosphere in Baltimore two weeks ago. “I was just ready to have that opportunity during the summer to play against Carmelo, LeBron, Chris Paul all on the same team. It felt good to get some reps in against those guys. Those are guys I’m going to see a lot in the upcoming year. It was cool to get some run with them.”

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Green said in May that he would consider returning home to play for the Wizards, but he also has a desire to stay in a playoff atmosphere after losing in the first round to the Lakers two seasons ago. Green said in May that he would consider returning home to play for the Wizards, but he also has a desire to stay in a playoff atmosphere after losing in the first round to the Lakers two seasons ago.“I’m getting further and further each year. I hope that continues every year,” he said.

Green won’t stress over where he winds up, whenever the next season begins. “Not at all. I have one of the best agents in the game, David Falk,” Green said. “He’s going to make sure I’m in a good position. He does his job and I do mine. I leave it up to him to try to make sure everything is intact when that time comes.”