Celtics lose Green for entire season

Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green will have surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and will miss the entire season, the team announced on Saturday.

Green is scheduled for an operation on Monday. Doctors have told him the operation "should completely repair Green's condition and that he can expect to resume his NBA career next season," the Celtics said.

If so, the timing of his training-camp exam - and the end of the NBA lockout - may have saved Green's life and helped the Celtics avert a tragedy like the 1993 death of Reggie Lewis, who died of heart problems on a practice court in the prime of his career.

"While we are saddened that Jeff will not be able to play this season, the most important thing is his health," Celtics president Danny Ainge said in a news release.

Green wrote on Twitter: "Thank u everyone for ur thoughts and prayers. . .much appreciated love u all..and I'll be back soon stronger and better than ever I promise."

Green, 25, averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season after joining the Celtics in a trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder.

Rodney Stuckey is returning to the Pistons.

Detroit announced that the restricted free agent signed a new contract, reportedly worth $25 million over three years.

Stuckey averaged a team-high 15.5 points in 2010-11.

The Pistons went 30-52 last season and recently parted ways with Richard Hamilton, but they've been hesitant to clean house completely, hoping new coach Lawrence Frank can help this mix of players improve. The Pistons struggled to coexist last season with coach John Kuester. Stuckey was benched barely a week into last season and again with just over a week to go when there was friction between him and Kuester.

When he returned to the lineup, Stuckey was terrific for his final five games, averaging 25.2 points and 9.4 assists.

In his first on-court appearance in front of fans since making a trade request, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard got a standing ovation from about 9,000 fans when he was introduced during an open scrimmage.

The all-star center has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Orlando, but asked management to be traded shortly after the Magic opened training camp.

Howard's No. 12 jersey was worn by fans throughout the crowd Saturday, many of whom held signs with messages such as "Superman This Is Your Metropolis."

On Thursday Howard said that although there hasn't been any movement on his trade request, it still stands. He can opt out of his current contract in July 2012 and become a free agent.