The Clippers have traded Lance Stephenson and a first-round pick to the Grizzlies for Jeff Green, according to The Orange County Register's Dan Woike.
Clippers trade Lance Stephenson for Grizzlies’ Jeff Green
The Clippers finally get the big forward they were lacking but it cost them a first-round pick.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Clippers had the framework for a deal in place with the Magic that would have sent Stephenson to Orlando for Channing Frye, according to reports, but were waiting to see if a better deal materialized. It looks like their target all along was Green.
The Grizzlies acquired Green last season but could never figure out how to best utilize him. He both came off the bench and started at different points but could never carve out a permanent role for himself. After trading away Courtney Lee on Wednesday, they needed another wing to balance out the roster and got an intriguing one in Stephenson.
What the Clippers get in this trade
The Clippers have lacked a combo forward who could play at the wing and move up to power forward when they go small. Green fits that description, at least in theory. He's not a good defensive rebounder and his outside shot is not good enough to draw out a big man, but he can attack slower defenders off the dribble and guard two positions decently. He's not the ideal solution to the Clippers' problems but Doc Rivers needed to make a move to improve the roster.
Green should be able to sop up Luc Mbah a Moute’s minutes while giving Rivers more lineup versatility. Just like Stephenson, his contract expires after this season, so the Clippers are not making a long-term investment. If he doesn’t work out, they can cut him loose in the offseason.
What the Grizzlies get in this trade
The Grizzlies needed to shake things up. They have disappointed so far this year and have recently lost Marc Gasol likely for the season, so it's a transitional year for them. It makes sense to take a chance on the talented but erratic Stephenson, to see if they can get the version that stuffed the stat sheet in Indiana. If he doesn't work out, they can simply let him walk during the summer.
The future first-round draft pick will come in handy when the Grizzlies attempt to rebuild and could be used to sweeten the pot on a future trade. Getting an asset for Green’s expiring contract has to count as a victory for the front office.
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