The Boston Celtics withdrew Jeff Green’s qualifying offer, making the young hybrid forward an unrestricted free agent who could theoretically be signed right now by any NBA team, but likely won’t considering he’s having heart surgery two days from now on Jan. 9.

That’s because the Boston Celtics, in a move that was not made public, withdrew Green’s qualifying offer in mid-December, right around the time he failed his physical and had his one-year, $9 million contract voided. The move means Green is now an unrestricted free agent. Had the offer not been withdrawn, and the Celtics were under no obligation whatsoever to do so, Green would have been a restricted free agent, with the Celtics able to match any offer he might get from another team. …

From the Celtics’ point of view, the withdrawal of the qualifying offer is a bit of a gamble in that it could lead to the departure of the most significant piece of February’s trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City. That would leave the Celtics with nothing to show from the deal, save for a first-round draft pick that belongs to the Clippers and is protected over the next few years.

Then again, Green’s NBA future, at present, is murky. And the change in his free-agent status puts Green in the same contractual position he would have been in had he been able to play out this season. Both sides knew that not only would Green be an unrestricted free agent next summer by taking the one-year offer, they also knew he could not be traded without his permission.

Also, the Celtics will still be able to offer Green a longer, more lucrative deal than any other team, either to re-sign him or sign him as part of a sign-and-trade deal, which is what they did last month with Glen Davis.

ESPN’s Peter May noted that it may have been “nothing more than a goodwill gesture,” but I can’t imagine Danny Ainge giving even his own brother or sister a goodwill gesture if he thought it would hurt the Boston Celtics. The move was more likely done for the following reason:

Falk added that the new collective bargaining agreement rules also may have played a part in the Celtics’ thinking as well.

I’m not yet an expert on the new collective bargaining agreement, but I imagine that withdrawing the qualifying offer lessens the salary cap hold the Celtics will have as long as Green remains a free agent. That would give them more flexibility during the free agency period, while their abundance of cap space should assure that the team can still sign Green should it choose to do so. It’s a risk, yes, that Green could leave and not give Boston a chance to match an offer he receives elsewhere, but the Celtics are likely willing to take that risk in exchange for greater flexibility during the summer of 2012.

The Celtics will enter this summer with just $30.5 million on the books (it could be $34.5 million if Brandon Bass decides to exercise a player option for next season, which is unlikely) and Danny Ainge — that wily old badger — will have significant cap space to work with for the first time in years. He doesn’t necessarily have to use it all next year — after Dwight Howard and Deron Williams, the free agent pickings are slim — but he will have options aplenty.

P.S. — This is probably a cold business decision, but it is not a cold business decision that will harm Jeff Green. Green is better off as an unrestricted free agent.

P.P.S. — Green is having heart surgery in two days. Keep him in your thoughts and/or prayers.

Danny Ainge is actively trying to trade Rajon Rondo. No matter what Ainge said during his joint press conference with Doc Rivers, no matter how many times he carefully tried to avoid saying he was openly shopping Rondo, no matter what a Hornets source told Gary Washburn about Ainge not shopping Rondo, it’s becoming evident that the truth is otherwise.

Ainge is not actively trying to trade Rondo for just anyone. He is trying only to trade Rondo for Chris Paul, widely believed to be the NBA’s best point guard, or for Stephen Curry, who would then be swapped for Paul. The proposed end result of Ainge’s madness always ends with Paul in green and white, teaming with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen for at least one season of what-if, then re-signing (or not re-signing) with the Celtics when his free agency arrives at year’s end.

Ainge is willing to acquire Paul without any promise the All-Star will remain in Boston beyond 2011-12. Whether Ainge believes that strongly in his own persuasive powers — that he will be able to convince Paul (and maybe someone else, possibly named Dwight Howard) to become Boston’s future — or he simply believes Paul is the key to maximizing the Big Three’s NBA title chances in the coming season, Ainge would reportedly roll the dice without any assurances. Ainge is willing to trade Rondo, whose ridiculously-below-market-level contract expires after the 2013-14 season, for one season of Paul, one season to try to convince Paul to make Boston his permanent home. In other words, Ainge is willing to trade Boston’s lone building block for the future in exchange for what might amount to a one-year rental, but has the (however slight or strong) possibility to leave Boston with the world’s best point guard for the foreseeable future.

What we know for sure, or what we believe we know for sure based on what the world’s top NBA reporters can agree on, is surrounded by a layer of questions, all equally as perplexing as the next. Allow me to take a stab at answering some of them.

Why is Ainge pursuing Paul so aggressively?

I’ve thought about this question a lot and narrowed it down to two primary reasons: 1) Paul’s a better player, and 2) Ainge would make out with his mother if he felt it would improve the Boston Celtics. Ainge has come to the conclusion, right or wrong, that Paul’s talents outweigh Rondo’s and are worth risking the possibility of entering the 2012-13 season with only Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley under contract.

Would trading for Paul, then losing him to free agency, kill Boston’s immediate future?

Yes or no. But probably yes. If the Celtics enter the summer of 2012 with just Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley under contract, there’s no attraction for Dwight Howard. Nor would there be one for Deron Williams (unless the pair miraculously decided to join Boston together, despite the fact that no superstar free agent has ever signed in Boston). The second-tier unrestricted free agents in 2012 are Andrew Bynum (whose knees are made of Jermaine O’Neal), Tim Duncan (who will be approximately 84 years old), Steve Nash (who will be even older), Jason Kidd (who could be Duncan’s grandfather), Gerald Wallace and Jason Terry. All are decent players. None would make the Celtics’ future seem much less bleak.

Assuming that neither Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen retire after this season, the two would be free agents who the Celtics could presumably sign and give the Big Three yet another chance. But if you think the Big Three could contend as a nucleus in 2012-13, without Rajon Rondo, you probably need to wash the rust that’s accumulating on your brain. Basically, if the Celtics trade for Paul, it’s re-sign or bust.

Why is Boston’s offer for Paul considered second-rate?

I still don’t understand this. The Hornets reportedly value Stephen Curry more than Rondo. A package of Curry, Klay Thompson and Ekpe Udoh reportedly holds more value than a package of Rondo, Jeff Green and two first-round picks. Huh?

Rondo’s resume: two All-Star appearances, two-time All-Defensive First Team selection, one championship, the best playoff performer (by far) for a team that went to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Boston’s best playoff performer for the past three seasons (marred only by his elbow injury this season), second in the NBA in assists last season (just 0.2 behind Nash), occasionally inconsistent production, tough hombre who normally rises to the occasion of big games

Curry’s resume: zero All-Star appearances, zero playoff appearances, a terrific shooter, average playmaker, candidate for Tim Kawakami’s annual All-NBA No-Defense Team (Kawakami, a Warriors beat reporter, should know as well as anyone) and someone whose presence actually made the miserable Golden State Warriors defense worse, albeit very slightly

Keep in mind, Rondo’s just two years older than Curry and already has NBA Finals experience. I realize Curry’s a better shooter and scorer. Far better, even. But considering how much more Rondo has accomplished in his career, understanding Rondo improves by miles every season and realizing that the Celtics’ reported deal is even sweetened by multiple draft picks, how is Golden St.’s package better than Boston’s? I’m confused. It just doesn’t make sense. Of course, for all I know, the rumors might have been leaked by a New Orleans front office executive looking to extract more talent from Danny Ainge’s pocket. Who knows?

I could do the same comparison using the Hornets’ reported infatuation with Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan. Am I crazy, or is Boston’s reported offer simply better than either of those teams’?

Why might any potential Chris Paul trade be controversial?

The NBA currently owns the Hornets. If Paul ends up in Boston or any other big market, conspiracy theorists will soon be shouting through megaphones, picketing with signs and throwing bricks through windows.

How will Rondo react to all the rumors?

Let’s pretend the Celtics don’t trade Rondo. At this point, it seems like the likely outcome. Ainge will try to explain the rumors by telling Rondo something to the effect of, “But at least we tried trading you for Chris Paul and only Chris Paul, not anyone lesser.”

But here’s the thing: Rondo considers himself the league’s best point guard and has for years. Trying to trade him for a player Ainge considers better isn’t just likely to hurt Rondo’s feelings. It also attacks Rondo’s supreme self-confidence, one of the pillars on which Rondo has built his career. That confidence won’t go away anytime soon. But his trust and appreciation for Ainge (and perhaps Doc Rivers) sure might. Rondo can be an emotionally fickle guy. These rumors, even if that’s all they amount to, won’t help.

The difference between the current Rondo trade rumors and the 2009 Rondo trade rumors is this: Then, the Celtics were shopping Rondo because he misbehaved too often. Now, they’re shopping him because they think they can acquire a better player. Should Paul be traded elsewhere, the effect of these trade rumors on Rondo might be far greater (and worse) than they were two years ago.

On the first night of free agency, Danny Ainge was presumably busy calling a myriad of potential targets, looking to fill Boston’s roster as well as he could. According to SLAM, none of those calls went to Delonte West.

Reportedly snubbed by Ainge on the first night of free agency, West is interested in joining the Los Angeles Lakers and has previously told SLAM he would love to reunite with Mike Brown.

Delonte West may be going Hollywood.

The 28-year-old free agent spent time during the lockout working on a self-produced reality show. Now, according to a knowledgeable source, the guard is entertaining calls from the Los Angeles Lakers.

If he were to sign with L.A., West, who spent the 2010-11 season with the Boston Celtics, would be reunited with Coach Mike Brown, who was the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers when West played there from 2008-10.

“I love Mike Brown,” West told SLAM when we spent time with him this past summer. “I mean, he’s a great guy. Too good. what else can you ask from a coach? He tried to do everything to keep everybody happy, keep the personalities happy [in Cleveland].”

Meanwhile, according to the same source, the Boston Celtics did not contact West on the first day that teams were allowed to reach out to players directly (though they have reached out to his representatives).

Call West, Danny. Call him over and over again. Call him when you’re drunk. Call him when you’re sober. Call him when you’re hungry and want a platonic date for dinner. Call him when you need someone to watch the football game with. Call him just to hear his voice. Call him and tell him you like his latest rap song. Whatever. Just let him know you’re interested, Ainge. Delonte West is a winner, he could come reasonably cheap, and the Celtics could really use him. This isn’t the time to play hard to get.

Despite multiple reports to the contrary, SI reports that Shane Battier is still considering the Boston Celtics.

Battier’s list still includes the Heat, Spurs, Pacers, Raptors, Grizzlies, Celtics and his former Memphis team. The Thunder have also had discussions with either Battier or his camp. The team-to-player conversations might matter more with players like these than with so many others, as a clear understanding of roles, goals and, of course, financial incentive will come into play.

I’d love Battier in Boston. I just don’t see how he’d sign for $3 million when another team (aka the Heat) can offer him more money and a better chance (damn it, I hate saying this) at winning a championship.

P.S. – Though my shaved head looks like corn rows, there’s no truth to the rumor I simply want Battier because I have a syndrome commonly referred to as “Battier Head.” He’s just good. That’s it.

The Detroit Pistons have coveted Glen Davis for years, according to an A. Sherrod Blakely report, and will likely be one of his most passionate free agent suitors. (CSNNE)

One of Boston’s biggest challengers for Davis will be Detroit, a team that has coveted Davis for a number of years.

And the Pistons may be willing to offer Davis the full mid-level exception which is worth $5 million in the yet-to-be-ratified new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Celtics have Davis’ Bird Rights which would allow them to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him.

Meanwhile, Danny Ainge called Davis almost as soon as NBA rules allowed him to. (Boston Herald)

“It’s my understanding that Danny called Glen early this morning and expressed his desire to have Glen back,” said John Hamilton, Davis’ representative.

Hamilton wouldn’t say much beyond that, but the sides have been talking for several days about what it will take to retain Big Baby.

I’m convinced the Celtics don’t want to sign Davis to a long-term extension (or maybe that’s just me hoping they maintain cap flexibility in the coming years). But if the market for Davis is $5 million per season, that might change things.

Davis — for all his flaws, and there are several — is a versatile big man who can play both power forward and center. In a league where Brendan Haywood makes $9 million a year and DeAndre Jordan could very well surpass that total this season, it’s a good deal to pay $5 million per year for a reasonably skilled offensive player who recently learned how to impact a game on both ends. I still (desperately) want the Celtics to prioritize the future ahead of the now (sorry Ray, Paul and Kevin), but $5 million per year — if indeed that’s Davis’ price tag — is undeniably enticing.

The Boston Celtics are not one of the four teams ESPN reports are most interested in adding Chris Paul. But the Celtics are nonetheless reportedly willing to trade for Paul even if he does not sign a contract extension. (ESPN)

The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks have shown the most interest in trading for Paul, according to sources briefed on the talks.

There is also a small handful of teams that has informed the Hornets they are prepared to trade for Paul with no assurance that they can keep him beyond this season. That list, sources say, includes the Rockets, Boston Celtics and defending champion Dallas Mavericks.

Each of those teams would be gambling that Paul would be won over by his new surroundings and either elect to play out the final season of his current contract (valued at $17.8 million in 2012-13) or opt out of his contract on July 1, 2012, and sign a new deal. Paul’s 2011-12 salary is listed at $16.4 million.

Boston would appear to have the most to offer in such a scenario if the Celtics are willing to include point guard Rajon Rondo, but sources say that the Hornets are convinced that they can receive more from any of the so-called gambling teams than from the Knicks, who are widely regarded as Paul’s No. 1 preferred destination.

I might think differently tomorrow, and I might flip-flop again the next day, but right now I wouldn’t do it. Rajon Rondo’s a top-five point guard. He’s one of the league’s smartest players. He improves by miles every season. He changes games defensively and he’s tougher than the rottweiler that ran straight through my fence last year. He’s not quite as good as Chris Paul, but he comes cheaper and he’s close enough to Paul’s level that trading for Paul as a possible one-year rental simply doesn’t make sense…

But if the Celtics somehow acquire Paul tomorrow, they’d have a full season to convince Paul to sign and a number of assets remaining to throw at Orlando (Dwight Howard, people!). I’m not saying Ainge should pull the trigger — I wouldn’t pull the trigger myself — but it’s a risk that could yield unfathomably high returns (Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, people!). Then again, it’s a risk that could allow Paul to walk and the Celtics’ cupboard to be bare after the 2011-12 season. Decisions, decisions, decisions.