The Memphis Grizzlies have officially Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics for Tayshaun Prince and a first round draft pick, announcing the news Monday after working through the complications over the weekend. The deal also involved the New Orleans Pelicans, who acquired Grizzlies swingman Quincy Pondexter and sent backup guard Austin Rivers to Boston, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
Jeff Green traded to Grizzlies in 3-team deal
The Celtics have traded the 28-year-old wing for a package that includes a first-round draft pick. New Orleans will also get Memphis’ Quincy Pondexter in the deal.
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The Grizzlies were fishing for help on the wing and talks between the two teams started “heating up” on Friday afternoon, according Stein. The Celtics are not expected to receive the pick before 2019, though they could receive it as soon as two years after the pick they owe to Cleveland is conveyed. The Celtics are also expected to move Rivers to another team in a separate transaction, with the Clippers and father Doc in the lead.
Green is having his best season as a pro, averaging nearly 18 points per game while flourishing in Brad Stevens’ offense. But the rebuilding Celtics are trying to bottom out after dealing Rajon Rondo and elected to gain future assets before Green departs via free agency.
The Grizzlies have a need for frontcourt depth that was exposed with Zach Randolph injured, so Green slides behind him and offers the flexibility to play on the wing in bigger lineup. Memphis reportedly targeted Luol Deng too, but Green was available, so the Grizzlies made their move before another West contender like Portland or the L.A. Clippers could jump into the bidding.
What are the Grizzlies getting with Jeff Green?
Green was a mystery for a long time. Miscast as a stretch four by the Thunder, Green floundered. After the trade that sent him to Boston, he started to find his place in the league as a volume scorer. He’s gradually adjusted to Brad Stevens’ system and become a much more decisive player. As SB Nation’s Celtics Blog writes:
He’ll never be the guy you can throw the ball in to to either get a clutch bucket or create for his teammates, but he’ll never be asked to either. Nobody is featured in the new Celtics offense or relied on too much on defense. Fans have been on Green since he came to Boston for not being aggressive enough, but Green’s complementary nature fits perfectly with his coach’s team first attitude. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll gladly pass it to the next man up, but we know that if there’s the slightest crack in the defense, Green will attack the gap and finish.
Still, his career-best numbers in 2014-15 made him the perfect trade bait for a Celtics franchise that is looking to start over after trading Rondo. Green’s player option for 2015-16 could make him a rental, but the scoring punch he will bring was clearly too alluring to pass up for the Grizzlies.
Brandan Wright Trade
How will Green fit with the Grizzlies?
Green will offer wing scoring to a team that is in desperate need of it as Vince Carter is beginning to show his age. The fit is less than ideal since Green can be a black hole at times and Memphis wants the ball in the hands of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Any option is better than Tayshaun Prince, however, and Green could flourish in he right environment after not finding a right spot in for his talents in the seven years he’s been in the league. Green will likely play some power forward as well in smaller lineups.
What will ultimately determine whether the trade is a success is how well Green performs on the defensive end. The Grizzlies win with defense and the potential for a marginally better offense is not worth jeopardizing their identity.
What are the Celtics getting back?
With this trade, Boston is acquiring a first round pick while also maximizing the value of its own pick. By trading away Green and also sending Brandan Wright to Phoenix, the Celtics are making it clear they would rather be at the bottom of the standings than in a fight for the playoffs.
The Celtics are 12-21 overall, which puts them in the mix for the fourth worst record in basketball behind the Knicks, 76ers and Timberwolves. Boston is one of five teams who currently with between 11-13 wins. The race for ping-pong balls will only get more competitive with Boston’s decision to dump quality veterans.
Boston’s collection of draft picks continues to grow. The Celtics how potentially have 11 first round picks over the next four years, according to Wojnarowski.
Prince’s $7.7 million contract expires at the end of the season and turns 35 years old at the end of February. He may be waived to join a contender. Rivers has largely been a disappointment since being drafted No. 10 overall in 2012, but he’s played decent rotation minutes this season. However, Boston is looking to flip Rivers elsewhere, and the Clippers and father Doc Rivers are in the lead to get him.
What are the Pelicans getting?
A familiar face. The franchise drafted Pondexter back in 2010, but traded him to Memphis to acquire Greivis Vasquez. Now, needing wing help, they are getting Pondexter back for Rivers, who was unlikely to have a future with the franchise.
Pondexter broke out in the 2013 playoffs, shooting 45 percent from three-point range during Memphis’ run to the conference finals. He looked like the two-way wing player Memphis desperately needed. But a broken foot derailed his 2013-14 campaign and he fell out of coach Dave Joerger’s rotation this season with better options on the roster.
The Pelicans are hoping he rediscovers his form and steps into the minutes currently being used by Luke Babbitt, a good shooter that can’t defend or put the ball on the floor.
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