There was much anticipation surrounding the trade deadline this season as many big names were rumored to be on the trade block. Though he wasn’t a huge name, Lance Stephenson of the Los Angeles Clippers has been rumored to be available for some time now.
The Clippers have been in dire need of a true small forward who can play both ends and they may have just found their answer in a familiar face to head coach Doc Rivers.
According to Dan Woike of the Orange County Register, the Clippers have traded away Stephenson to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green:
Source: Lance Stephenson has been traded to Memphis
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 18, 2016
Clippers have acquired Jeff Green in the deal
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 18, 2016
The Grizzlies also received a protected 2019 first round pick in the deal that could shake up things for two teams looking to move into the upper echelon of the Western Conference.
Green is an interesting addition for the Clippers as he now looks like the best two-way small forward on the roster. Paul Pierce is not what he used to be at this age, and Wesley Johnson has struggled with inconsistency. Green can also play some power forward which could come in handy if they need to go small against teams like the Warriors and Thunder.
Stephenson gives the Grizzlies another tough defender on the wing as well as a playmaker. With Marc Gasol out for the year, Memphis needed to make some kind of splash to stay in the Western Conference playoff race.
