Clippers trade Lance Stephenson to Grizzlies for Jeff Green

In a last minute NBA trade deadline deal, the Los Angeles Clippers have acquired Jeff Green from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Lance Stephenson and a future draft pick.

Just as the NBA trade deadline was about to pass with no significant moves, the Los Angeles Clippers have pulled off one of the biggest deals. After months of Doc Rivers never utilizing him effectively, Lance Stephenson and a future first-round draft pick are now being sent away to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green.

Dan Woike of the Orange County Register first reported that Stephenson had been dealt, before adding that Green will be coming to L.A.

It’s totally unexpected to see the Clippers suddenly make such a bold move just moments before the deadline, as Green is a talented offensive player and is by no means part of a deal that simply involves the Clips dumping Stephenson to remove his $9 million salary for little return. Instead, they’ve actually made a significant return, and added some much needed excitement to an otherwise slow NBA trade deadline day.

While a trade taking place after reports saying that the Clippers were most likely going to go without a single move was startling, the departure of Stephenson can hardly be described in the same way. He’s only gained extra minutes over the last couple of weeks and has been at the bottom of the bench all season, without a chance to fully utilize his playmaking ability, athleticism and defense. If this was never going to change, it’s best the Clippers got rid of him for some who can contribute at both forward spots.

The Grizzlies have been trying to get rid of Green for a while now as he never truly fit in, but it’s still puzzling that they settled for Stephenson and a 2019 lottery protected pick in return.

As for the Clippers, losing the pick isn’t too much of a loss. If Doc is still in charge, will they really make a good selection and actually use the rookie anyway? Alternatively, if the team loses its core and drop down the Western Conference within the next couple of years, the pick increases in value and this could prove to be too much sacrifice for Green. Either way, this is a move by Doc with no focus on the future as it could be another lost asset.

Thanks to the protection, though, it still belongs to the Clippers if it’s a lottery pick, which does help this trade in their favor.

Otherwise, this is a good move for the Clippers, seeing as Stephenson clearly didn’t have a bright future in L.A. Green provides good size as a combo forward at 6’9″ with great athleticism, finishing ability and the knack to create his own shot at times. Green has been underwhelming for most of his recent career, though, so don’t get your hopes too high. Any positive contribution, no matter how much, is a win.

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While he isn’t without flaws and his shot selection and defense can go awry, he could become the missing piece to the Clippers’ bench. He can add another option off the bench, far more youth and athleticism than guys like Jamal Crawford and Paul Pierce, and a new option to be used at power forward in small lineups.

The problem, however, is that the Clips still lack an actual big man off the bench besides Cole Aldrich. Green doesn’t solve this issue, even as a player who’s more physically suited to play at the four right now than Pierce.

From a personal standpoint, Green also gets to reunite with old Boston Celtics colleagues Doc and Pierce.

Next: How the Clippers missed a trade for Channing Frye

We’ll have more analysis on this trade soon, but in the meantime, check out some footage of Green to see what you think he can offer the Clippers.