Clippers Trade Lance Stephenson To Grizzlies For Jeff Green

The Grizzlies acquired Green last season but could never figure out how to best utilize him.

The Clippers have traded guard Lance Stephenson to the Grizzlies in exchange for forward Jeff Green, Dan Woike of the Orange County Register reports. It seems this was the deal they were working on.

Stephenson heads to Memphis after only half a season with the Clippers as the Grizzlies were able to move Jeff Green’s expiring contract before he becomes a free agent this summer. He’s not the ideal solution to the Clippers’ problems but Doc Rivers needed to make a move to improve the roster. Getting a misused Lance Stephenson for Green was a pretty good deal-getting a future first round pick as well feels nearly like highway robbery.

As for the Clippers, losing the pick isn’t too much of a loss. Green should see plenty of minutes in his new home, as Blake Griffin continues to nurse a broken hand which could keep him sidelined for another month and a half. Green doesn’t solve this issue, even as a player who’s more physically suited to play at the four right now than Pierce.

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have one of the most interesting locker rooms in the league – with Matt Barnes, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph and Stephenson, Memphis has a group of players completely unafraid of instigating confrontation.