Clippers trade Lance Stephenson to Grizzlies for Jeff Green

If they can get the Grizzlies’ pick too, then their process will be expedited even faster.

Green was averaging 12.2 points per game with the Grizzlies this season, while Stephenson was was averaging 4.7 points per game with the Clippers.

Stephenson (6-5, 230) owns career averages of 8.3 points (.448 FG/.305 3P/.671 FT), 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 25.0 minutes in 314 games (186 starts) over six seasons for the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers. Meanwhile, the Clippers sent out yet another first-round pick, meaning they now can’t trade one until 2021, having already moved their 2017 pick in a separate trade.

Green will be reunited with coach Doc Rivers, whom he spent a little over a year with when he played for the Boston Celtics. Stephenson is talented enough to make major contributions to a good team, but nobody is counting on that from him at this point. In fact, Lance had been more efficient in his limited time with the Clippers than Green has been in Memphis.

They do need some more rebounding and playmaking with the loss of Marc Gasol due to injury, but this seems a bit extreme.

How will this move play out for the Grizzlies this season and beyond?

Lance Stephenson would likely be used in the trade, as would CJ Wilcox and possibly a second round pick. Hairston to Memphis along with four second-round draft picks. Well down the line, an additional first-round pick should help replenish after the one traded for Green as well as another dealt previously. 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.