The Charlotte Hornets have acquired shooting guard Courtney Lee from the Memphis Grizzlies, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Grizzlies will receive P.J. Hairston and two second-round picks from the Hornets, while Charlotte is also sending Brian Roberts to the Miami Heat. The Heat are trading Chris Andersen and two second-round picks to Memphis.
Courtney Lee traded to Hornets in 3-team deal, per report
With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist out for the season, the Hornets have made a move to upgrade on the wing.
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
This move comes in the wake of the news that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will miss the rest of the season due to another shoulder surgery. Lee isn't the same caliber of defender that Kidd-Gilchrist is, but the 30-year-old gives the Hornets an upgrade on the wing as they look to get into the postseason. He's averaging 10 points and shooting 37 percent from three. Charlotte is currently in the No. 8 slot in the Eastern Conference.
Lee is in the last year of his deal, so the Grizzlies were clearly trying to get whatever they could for him instead of losing him for nothing in free agency. Hairston had his issues in Charlotte and didn’t have his team option picked up for next season, but perhaps a fresh start will be good for him. Memphis will also get the cache of second-round picks:
Miami 2017 if in top 40 (if not, 2018), Charlotte 2018, Brooklyn 2019, Boston 2019 (top 56 protected) per source.
— Chris Herrington (@HerringtonNBA) February 16, 2016
The Heat get a backup guard in Roberts to help replace the injured Tyler Johnson, who recently underwent shoulder surgery and is likely out until April. Dealing Andersen also lowers Miami's luxury tax bill.
* * *
Slam Dunk Contest: Aaron Gordon is the best runner-up ever
Be sure to subscribe to SB Nation’s YouTube channel for highlight videos, features, analysis and more
See More:
