Danny Ainge said during a press conference Thursday that the Boston Celtics want to re-sign Jeff Green.

“We’d like to have Jeff [Green] back, yes,” Ainge said.

If you read the site, you know my feelings about Jeff Green are confused and often harsh, but based in fact. He has the potential to develop into something better, something versatile and effective and impressive, but his production has never lived up to his skill set, and his lack of efficiency on both ends has routinely hurt his teams. That’s not me being biased. That’s fact.

You also know I think the decision Boston will make on Jeff Green this offseason could help shape the team for years to come. Does he deserve long-term money, which he almost assuredly will receive from some team willing to take a risk on a young, athletic hybrid forward? How much can the Celtics afford to pay him? At what point is re-signing him no longer worth it? The Celtics, as Doc Rivers told Scott Souza yesterday, are balancing the present with the future. Deciding what to do with Green is a crucial part of that.

Just tread carefully, Danny. Please.