Clippers’ newest player: Jeff Green’s 2015-16 highlights

As we wait for Jeff Green’s first game as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, here’s a look at the highlights he put together during the first part of the 2015-16 season with the Memphis Grizzlies.

In a last-minute move at the NBA trade deadline with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Jeff Green in exchange for Lance Stephenson and a 2019 protected first-round draft pick. Green comes in as the new small forward that Doc Rivers will aim to use as the team’s final piece, while also possessing the ability to play at the four in small lineups during Blake Griffin‘s absence. Overall, there are positives and negatives to the move.

On one hand, Doc never fully trusted Stephenson with a notable role and even though he was wrong to do so, this lowered his value along with his drop off since leaving Indiana. The Clippers were never going to get much at the deadline for Stephenson, so to bring in Green rather than simply dumping Lance’s salary for even less is still a victory.

However, seeing as Green isn’t exactly a franchise-altering upgrade over Stephenson, the Clippers including a first-round pick (albeit a protected one) is something they shouldn’t have given away so easily. Doc is renowned for not using young players and rookies, and as the team have a historically bad track record when it comes to building talent through the draft, this move only enforces this trend even more.

Our writer Jeff Nisius has discussed why this trade won’t solve all the team’s problems in great depth, which should go read by clicking here. In full detail, Nisius explains why this move isn’t the solution the Clippers need.

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However, the acquisition of Green isn’t without any promise. He has a chance to succeed in a limited role as someone who doesn’t need to be the top offensive option, and a leader such as Chris Paul at point to follow should help bring out more of his never fully reached potential.

So, until we see him play his first game in a Clippers jersey, let’s take a look back at a few of his best highlights and top performances from the first part of this season with the Grizzlies. And seeing as he’s averaged 19.9 points on 52.2 percent shooting with a 40.5 percent three-point shot over his last eight games, Green has actually put together some strong outings lately.

Hopefully for the Clippers, it continues.

Green scores 26 points against the Heat

To illustrate the ways in which Green is capable of scoring at a high level with his driving ability and streaky shooting, here’s a look at the 26 points he scored on December 13 in a narrow loss to the Miami Heat.

Green’s season-high 30 points

With 11-of-18 shooting against the Orlando Magic on January 25, Green dropped a season-high 30 points to go along with eight rebounds, two steals and a block.

And he even hit this huge floater to force overtime.

Green posterizes Jason Smith

With his athleticism and powerful finishing, Green’s dunks suit the flash of Lob City well.

29 points against the Sacramento Kings

Five days after tallying 30 points against the Magic, Green was at it again with 29 points (his second highest total of the season) on 11-of-16 shooting with three steals.

Green gets a powerful rejection on Nick Young

If Green can use his athleticism to make chase down blocks like this for the Clippers, his arrival will already look better.

Green defeats the Phoenix Suns with a buzzer-beating dunk

This is easily Green’s top play of 2015-16 so far. A game-winning dunk at the final buzzer is a very rare sight in the NBA, let alone an alley-oop off an inbounds play. Yet, on December 6, Green managed to pull off a huge throwdown to defeat the Suns as time expired.

Jeff Green is flawed for the fact that despite his perfect physical gifts and talent to become a star small forward, his mentality, motivation and effort to achieve that level has never been quite so apparent on a consistent basis.

Next: Why Jeff Green isn't the solution for the Clippers

With the Clippers, though, in a situation where he’ll only need to play a limited role and will be surrounded by strong leaders and elite talent, perhaps they can help bring out some more consistency; even if it cost them too much to bring him onboard.