According to ESPN.com, in a move that was not made public, the Celtics withdrew Green's qualifying offer in mid-December — right around the time he failed a physical and had his one-year, $9 million contract voided. As a result, Green will be an unrestricted free agent, whereas he would have been a restricted free agent upon returning had the C's not pulled the offer.
If the Celtics didn't withdraw the offer, they would have had the ability to match any offers Green might receive from other teams. Boston reportedly was under no obligation to handle the matter the way it did.
General manager Danny Ainge said he preferred not to discuss the basketball matter, but he did acknowledge that the team pulled the contract, and it reportedly may have just been a goodwill gesture by the Celtics to Green and his agent, David Falk. It will give Green more freedom to explore other opportunities upon his return.
"It was not something we expected or bargained for, but coming as it did after such devastating medical news it was almost like an early Christmas present," Falk said, according to ESPN.com.
Green is scheduled to have heart surgery on Monday to treat an aortic aneurysm.
