Grizzlies officially land Jeff Green in 3-team deal with Celtics, Pelicans
After a weekend of speculation, Jeff Green is officially a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Boston Celtics announced the three-team trade Monday. It will send Green to Memphis and see Tayshaun Prince, Austin Rivers and a first-round pick land in Boston.
Memphis also acquired Russ Smith from the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Pelicans received Quincy Pondexter and a future second-round pick, which they have also confirmed.
The trade, as fully constructed, looks as follows:
| 3-Team Trade | Receives | Sends |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis | Jeff Green, Russ Smith | Tayshaun Prince, Quincy Pondexter, 1st round pick, 2nd round pick |
| Boston | Austin Rivers, Tayshaun Prince, 1st round pick | Jeff Green |
| New Orleans | Quincy Pondexter, 2nd round pick | Austin Rivers, Russ Smith |
Memphis is the big winner here, landing a capable two-way combo-forward who improves their wing rotation substantially. He isn't the most efficient scorer or the best rebounder, but Green is better than Prince and Pondexter and stands to be better utilized in a smaller role with the Grizzlies.
Dealing a future first hurts some, and it's the second first-rounder they now have outstanding, but this is a move they had to make if they feel they have a legitimate chance to contend, which they do. They're also now $2.3 million below the tax and created a $3.1-million trade exception - a useful chip if they look to add another piece later.
By shipping Green out, Boston continues quite an aggressive tear-down that has landed them three first-round picks in deals for Rajon Rondo, Brandan Wright and Green. They own an additional eight first-round picks moving forward, a substantial stockpile of assets for developing or using to add pieces in the future.
Prince is unlikely to move the needle much for the Celtics and could be a candidate to be bought out at the trade deadline, if he's not dealt in a subsequent deal by then. Rivers, meanwhile, has improved a fair amount in his third season but isn't long for Boston, with the Los Angeles Clippers representing a potential landing spot.
The Pelicans take on a bit of risk in acquiring Pondexter, who is in the first year of a four-year, $14-million contract that looks like an overpay based on his play so far. If he plays closer to what he's shown in the past and what the Grizzlies thought he would be, the Pelicans didn't give up much beyond cap flexibility to get him, as Rivers was superfluous and Smith has barely played.