NBA NEWS

Grizzlies swap F Green for Clippers F Stephenson

The Sports Xchange

February 18, 2016 at 2:06 pm.

Jeff Green (32) is headed to the Clippers. Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Green (32) is headed to the Clippers. Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

For the third time in less than two years, forward Lance Stephenson has a new team.

According to multiple reports, the Memphis Grizzlies obtained Stephenson and a first-round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers for forward Jeff Green on Thursday.

ESPN initially reported the trade and it was confirmed by the Orange County Register.

Two years ago with the Indiana Pacers, Stephenson was among the most improved players in the league when he finished second for the award and led the league with five triple-doubles as the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals.

During the series with the Miami Heat, Stephenson was criticized by team president Larry Bird and media for unprofessional trash-talking behavior towards LeBron James but despite the antics, he cashed in as an unrestricted free agent.

Stephenson reportedly rejected a five-year, $44 million contract from the Pacers and wound up getting a three-year, $27 million deal from the Charlotte Hornets before the 2014-15 season. Stephenson hit a buzzer beating 3-pointer in his first few weeks with the team but was traded to the Clippers on June 15.

After averaging 8.2 points with the Hornets, Stephenson averaged 4.7 points in 43 games for the Clippers in 2015-16.

Stephenson becomes the second frontcourt reserve to join the Grizzlies via trade this week after they lost center Marc Gasol to a right foot injury last week. On Monday, Memphis obtained Chris Andersen in a three-team trade from the Miami Heat.

Green will be reunited with coach Doc Rivers, whom he spent a little over a year with when he played for the Boston Celtics. The Celtics dealt him to Memphis in Jan. 2014 and Green averaged 12.6 points in 98 games for the Grizzlies.
Green was Boston’ s first-round pick in 2007 but was traded to the Seattle Supersonics in the deal for Ray Allen. In 609 games, with the SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Celtics and Grizzlies he has averaged 14.1 points per game.

According to TNT, the first-round pick is lottery protected in 2019.

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