NBA Trades - Carmelo to Cleveland?! Kevin Love to Celtics?! NBA Talk/Discussion
The Los Angeles Clippers, in a somewhat head-scratching move, made a last-second deal on Thursday at the 2016 NBA trade deadline, sending Lance Stephenson and a first-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jeff Green.
ESPN had the report first:
On its surface, it"s difficult to see why the Clippers would make this deal. Jeff Green has struggled to achieve his potential in essentially every one of his stops in the league, and while the protected pick the Clippers surrender reportedly won"t be conveyed until 2019, it"s still first rounder, and that has value.
It is worth noting, though, exactly how disruptive having Lance Stephenson on the roster seems to be. Teams keep rolling the dice with Stephenson knowing his potential as a player, and they continually seem to be ready to part ways very quickly after acquiring him. The Clippers may have simply wanted to be rid of his presence in the locker room, and if Jeff Green is able to add any value in the interim, all the better.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have one of the most interesting locker rooms in the league with Matt Barnes, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph andStephenson, Memphis has a group of players completely unafraid of instigating confrontation. Stephenson may be a problem from a personality standpoint, but perhaps the Grizzlies think their solid group of veteranswill be able to shape him up.
Realistically, though, the Grizzlies are far more interested in the pick. Stephenson is talented enough to make major contributions to a good team, but nobody is counting on that from him at this point. The Clippers were willing to give up a future protected first to part ways with him, and they found the Grizzlies to be the willing trade partner they were looking for. Memphis" locker room may be a soap opera for the rest of the season, but at least the Grizzlies are one draft pick richer for their troubles.
Source: http://www.masslive.com/sports/2016/02/nba_trades_2016_lance_stephenson_jeff_green_los_angeles_clippers_memphis_grizzlies.html
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