After a long weekend of swirling rumors, the Jeff Green deal is complete. Earlier today a trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans sent 5 players packing.
In the deal, the Grizzlies send forward Tayshaun Prince and a protected future first-round pick to Boston and forward Quincy Pondexter and a 2015 second-round pick to New Orleans.
The Grizzlies acquire forward Jeff Green from Boston and rookie point guard Russ Smith from New Orleans.
Boston receives Austin Rivers from the Pelicans.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Boston might look to buy out the contract of veteran Tayshaun Prince. The reason is likely to let him play his last few years with a championship contender.
Celtics GM Danny Ainge and new forward Tayshaun Prince will have a conversation before its determined if the vet is bought out, source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 12, 2015
The Grizzlies’ addition of Jeff Green will add more wing depth to a team that looks to make a playoff push by beating a team like the Golden State Warriors in the cutthroat Western Conference. The Celtics continue to clear cap space in an effort to sign a big name free agent this summer. Kevin Love, perhaps?
Though the Celtics added Austin Rivers, a young and recently improving point guard, the all-knowing Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted this weekend that Rivers will likely be playing for his father in the near future.
Celtics and Clippers discussing a deal for Austin Rivers, league sources tell Yahoo, but Boston doesn’t want salary back next season. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 11, 2015
Celtics willing to move A. Rivers for 2nd-round pick. For Clippers, it’s free look at 10th overall pick — who’d only be college senior now. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 11, 2015
It’s the beginning of trade season. With the Rajon Rondo trade, the Brandan Wright trade, the Cleveland trades and now the Jeff Green trade, I’m sure more trades involving big name teams will be coming soon.
