Just prior to the 2016 NBA trade deadline passing, the Los Angeles Clippers sent away disgruntled Lance Stephenson and in return acquired Jeff Green from the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis will also receive a lottery-protected 2019 first-round draft pick as part of the deal.
Why The Clippers Made This Deal
For the Clippers, this deal makes a lot of sense. Lance Stephenson had fallen out of coach Doc Rivers' rotation and was mostly on the bench, averaging 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in just 15.8 minutes per game. Stephenson also has a $9.4 million player option for next season, while the newly-acquired Green will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Clippers add depth to their bench by adding Green, who previously played for Doc Rivers when they both were with the Boston Celtics. Green is averaging 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds this season for Memphis.
LA is already without Blake Griffin for most of the remainder of the season, as Griffin is recovering from his broken hand and will serve a four-game suspension when he does return. The Clippers also parted ways with Josh Smith a few weeks ago, sending him to the Houston Rockets. Green is a player who can step in and play small forward or power forward until Griffin returns.
Why The Grizzlies Made This Deal
As for Stephenson, this will be his third team since leaving Indiana, and he will get a fresh start for a team in desperate need of some bench scoring.
The Grizzlies had already sent Courtney Lee away in a deal with the Hornets earlier this week and are without Marc Gasol indefinitely with a foot injury. Stephenson has too much talent to be sitting on the bench, and perhaps he can revitalize his career in Memphis.
Los Angeles was also close to sending Stephenson away to the Magic for Channing Frye just a few days prior, but the deal between Orlando and Los Angeles never came into full form.
The Grizzlies currently sit at fifth in the West, and the Clippers just a few games ahead of them sitting at fourth. It is quite possible that these two teams will meet in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.