WALTHAM — The Celtics will likely have to wait until December to see if Vitor Faverani will make an impact this season, as the Brazilian big man underwent another surgery on his left knee Monday and will be out eight weeks.
Faverani had surgery in Spain to reduce inflammation and "evaluate" his surgically repaired meniscus, according to the team. Faverani, always lighthearted, released a photo on Twitter before his surgery posing with nine doctors. According to coach Brad Stevens, Faverani will remain in Spain for two weeks before returning to Boston.
Faverani's surgery delays the Celtics' ability to gain clarity on the center position. Faverani last played for the team Jan. 28.
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With 16 guaranteed contracts and 15 roster spots, the Celtics will likely have to choose between keeping Faverani and recent addition Dwight Powell, a rookie forward out of Stanford.
"We didn't even really talk about that," Stevens said of Faverani's future on the roster. "It doesn't sound like a long-term [recovery], so we haven't talked about it. That hasn't come up in any of my discussions, at least."
Faverani signed a three-year contract (two years guaranteed) in July 2013, and had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee in March. He complained of persistent knee soreness during training camp and has yet to practice.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have been impressed with Powell, acquired last month from the Cavaliers. He signed a two-year contract with Cleveland before being traded. The first year is guaranteed.
"I feel bad for Vitor; I think he's frustrated, too," Stevens said. "He gets back and gets on the court and for whatever reason gets swelling and pain. He just wants to get a clean bill of health and it's been a while."
Faverani played in 37 games last season, averaging 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13.2 minutes.
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Green back in fold
Jeff Green was cleared to practice Monday after missing most of training camp with a strained left calf. Green is the Celtics' leading returning scorer, and he'll have two weeks to integrate into the team's reshaped offensive dynamic, most notably the presence of swingman Evan Turner.
Stevens said he can play the two together, with Green shifting to power forward. Green has said he is more comfortable at small forward but Stevens has been mixing his rotations during the preseason to make the team more versatile.
"It doesn't mean that I'm going to be on the block a lot," Green said of the move to power forward. "I'm still going to play my game, no matter what position I'm in. As long as I'm out on the floor, that's all that matters. I'm just going to go out there and try to find spots and score the ball."
Turner is averaging 11.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in four preseason games.
"I think Evan has to play, whether that's starting or coming off the bench," Stevens said. "Evan can get into the paint and that's a huge, critical thing for our team."
Green said he and Turner can coexist on the floor.
"He's good on the ball, can create his own shot, get his teammates involved," Green said. "He's a combo guard who can do it all. He's been a great help to this team and I think he's a great addition to what we're trying to do.
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"I think we can work together very well. We both can handle the ball. We both can create mismatches on both ends. So I think it's to our [advantage]."
Wallace (knee) out
Gerald Wallace, who had season-ending surgery in March to repair a torn left meniscus and remove bone spurs from his left ankle, will miss the next two preseason games because of a bone bruise in his left knee. Wallace has maintained he is not 100 percent but jumped right into training camp practices and played in the first three preseason games . . . Rajon Rondo was dribbling before practice with his surgically repaired left hand and said he could be a week away from being cleared for contact. Rondo is expected to return to the lineup in mid-November. Stevens also said rookie swingman James Young (strained left hamstring) is progressing but "at least a week away." . . . Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is out for two months with a fractured bone in his right foot, meaning he will miss the Thunder's lone visit to TD Garden on Nov. 12.
Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.