GRIZZ GETS GREEN FROM CELTICS IN 3-TEAM SWAP
In a 3-team trade, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired combo forward Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics, plus point guard Russ Smith and a trade exception from the New Orleans Pelicans. The Boston Celtics acquired small forward Tayshaun Prince and a protected future first-round draft pick from Memphis, plus combo guard Austin Rivers from New Orleans. The New Orleans Pelicans acquired combo forward Quincy Pondexter and a second-round draft pick in 2015 from Memphis.
What does it give the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has struggled to get consistent scoring from the small forward spot this season, so Green is a nice add with that in mind. He should start right away, and let defensive specialist Tony Allen slip back into a sixth man role. Green can also play some power forward, which should give the aging Zach Randolph more minutes off down the stretch. Meanwhile Smith is a potential gem who has starter talent, so overall this is a very nice deal for the contending Grizzlies.
What does it give the Boston Celtics
For Boston this move is all about freeing up money. Prince's salary comes off the books after this season (compared to the departing Green, who has another year on his deal). Additionally, the Celtics get the future first-round pick, as well as Rivers (who could be a trade chip for more dealing). The rebuilding Celtics have been in sell-off mode lately, and moving Green is another big step in them clearing cap space for the future.
What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
Rivers didn't pan out as expected for the Pelicans and while Smith is a potential future NBA starter, he wasn't playing much at all for a New Orleans team on the playoff bubble. Someday the Pelicans may regret moving Smith, but in Pondexter they land a very solid role player who can bring energy off the bench and help them push for a postseason berth.
Fantasy impact
The player who may be helped most by this deal is Evan Turner, who looks set for a boost in playing time with Boston now that Green is gone (even though Turner plays mostly point guard for the Celtics). Meanwhile Green's production should stay fairly static with his move to Memphis. He was expected to explode as a scorer last season for Boston but it didn't happen, although he remains an all-round above-average small forward. His arrival on the Grizzlies likely hurts the minimal fantasy value Tony Allen and Vince Carter have left. Smith probably won't play much with contending Memphis right away, but he's worth monitoring in keeper leagues. In Boston, Prince has a chance to start at small forward ahead of Jae Crowder, but it's unreasonable to expect much fantasy-wise from Prince at this point of his career. Even if he sticks in Boston the rest of this season his value is tied mostly to his veteran leadership (rather than to traditional fantasy stats). Rivers looks unlikely to stick around in Boston, but keep an eye on him in case he eventually lands on a team that has a clear role for him. Pondexter has a good chance at winning solid minutes on New Orleans' second unit, likely hurting the fantasy fortunes of Luke Babbitt.
