After the NBA Trade Deadline passed on Thursday, there was one deal that was reported after the deadline that got done just in time.
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The Clippers are sending Lance Stephenson and a heavily protected 2019 first-round pick to Memphis for Jeff Green, according to ESPN.
Stephenson’s contract has a $9.4 million team options for 2016-17, giving Memphis three months to decide whether or not he fits into their long-term plans. Getting a misused Lance Stephenson for Green was a pretty good deal-getting a future first round pick as well feels nearly like highway robbery.
For Memphis, this likely signals a rebuild as they have dealt two of their best perimeter players in the last couple of days when Green was traded today and Courtney Lee was sent to Charlotte earlier this week. His minutes, however, dwindled as the season progressed.
Realistically, though, the Grizzlies are far more interested in the pick.
While he isn’t without flaws and his shot selection and defense can go awry, he could become the missing piece to the Clippers’ bench. Paul Pierce is not what he used to be at this age, and Wesley Johnson has struggled with inconsistency. Green doesn’t solve this issue, even as a player who’s more physically suited to play at the four right now than Pierce.
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Green will reunited with head coach Doc Rivers after spending a year and a half with the Grizzlies.
