Los Angeles Clippers get: Jeff Green
Memphis Grizzlies get: Lance Stephenson, first-round pick
The biggest winner of all teams today, was the Los Angeles Clippers – with the acquisition of Jeff Green. Doc Rivers avoided any deal regarding their star power forward Blake Griffin, which we’re assuming was a tactic on management’s behalf to wake up the freakish athlete on maturing and being productive. Before Doc’s departure in Boston, he helped develop Green into a respectable professional, but he’s still missing consistency. Over the last four years, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have lacked a true back-up person to provide defense, rebounding and offense – something they were hoping Josh Smith could do this season, before he was traded a few weeks ago.
Sending away Lance Stephenson to the Memphis Grizzlies (or the new version of the Portland Jailblazers) gives them relief of any questions regarding who’ll get bench minutes from Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers. Above anything else, Los Angeles needed front-court help and this acquisition could be pivotal if Jeff’s consistent enough in the post-season.