Trade Grades
Click here for link to Memphis Grizzlies Trade Grades
Clippers get: SF Jeff Green
Grizzlies get: SG Lance Stephenson, 2019 first-rounder
With Stephenson struggling mightily on the wing and the Wesley Johnson-Paul Pierce duo at small forward being largely unimpressive, it was obvious that change was needed. Stephenson was putting up a mere 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game; this being just a few years removed from leading the league in triple-doubles. Enter Jeff Green. The small forward is averaging a solid 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, and provides a legitimate scoring option on the wing, a role made all the more necessary by PF Blake Griffin's injury. Plugging perhaps their greatest hole (other than some freaking frontcourt depth!!!!!), giving away a future protected pick is well worth the cost of becoming title contenders right now.
Grade: A
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Charlotte Hornets' Trade Grade
Hornets get: C Spencer Hawes, SF Matt Barnes
Clippers get: SG Lance Stephenson
Bolded stuff = most important points/summary/highlights
I love the move for L.A. With their current roster proving that they are incapable of advancing past the second round of the playoffs for two years in a row, it was clear that adding another piece was necessary if the Clippers hoped to become true title contenders. And now they have, assuming that they are able to re-sign star C DeAndre Jordan.
Although coming off a disappointing season where he averaged just 8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on an abysmal 37.5% shooting from the field, Stephenson oozes potential. His antics and lack of maturity are a major turn-off for most teams, but in the right role Lance can be an All-Star. Prior to this season with the Hornets, he averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and a steal on an efficient 49% shooting with the Indiana Pacers en route to an All-Star snub. He is still a defensive force with incredible length (6’11” wingspan) that boasts a very well-rounded overall game: a fair comparison could be SF/SG Nicolas Batum (POR). Still just 24, Stephenson’s offensive game is still capable of further development, which would make him a true star in this league. His contract is reasonable as well, as he’s owed just $9 million this year before a $9.4 million team option for next season.
For all this, what did L.A have to give up? Next to nothing: Barnes is on an expiring $3.5 million contract, and he’s no more than a role player. He averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds per game this season, which is actually one of the better ones of his career. Barnes’ main attributes are his toughness, solid ability to stretch the floor as a shooter, and his defensive tenacity. According to reports, he’s expected to be waived by Charlotte.
Hawes, on the other hand, is an interesting case. He was very impressive last year on a depleted Philadelphia squad: 13 points, 8.5 rebounds, a combined 2 steals and blocks per game, all while knocking down 1.5 threes on a ridiculous 40% from beyond the arc. This year, however, his minutes have been cut from 31.5 to 17.5 per game with the Clippers, and he’s only put up 6 points, 3.5 rebounds, a combined 1 steal and block per game, and only made 1 three on 31.5% shooting from downtown. Could he be just as effective as he was in Philadelphia with an uptick in minutes? Perhaps, but his overall numbers fell off more than proportionally with the decrease in minutes. He’s a good shooter, especially for his height, and a serviceable defender as well, but his inability to utilize his size in terms of scoring inside and grabbing more rebounds is alarming. He’s owed $5.7 milion a year through 2018, although that’s reasonable, the length of the deal is almost reliant on the fact that he will be able to develop into more than just a shooter.
All in all, the Clippers gave up a couple of role players, the latter on a rather undesirable contract, for a potential star. Adding depth up front and maybe another small forward to fill the holes left by Barnes and Hawes respectively will be necessary for them to legitimately stake their claim as title favorites, but this trade at the very least gives L.A that opportunity (to be title contenders) while giving up next to nothing in exchange.
Grade: A
Click here for link to Memphis Grizzlies Trade Grades
Clippers get: SF Jeff Green
Grizzlies get: SG Lance Stephenson, 2019 first-rounder
With Stephenson struggling mightily on the wing and the Wesley Johnson-Paul Pierce duo at small forward being largely unimpressive, it was obvious that change was needed. Stephenson was putting up a mere 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game; this being just a few years removed from leading the league in triple-doubles. Enter Jeff Green. The small forward is averaging a solid 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, and provides a legitimate scoring option on the wing, a role made all the more necessary by PF Blake Griffin's injury. Plugging perhaps their greatest hole (other than some freaking frontcourt depth!!!!!), giving away a future protected pick is well worth the cost of becoming title contenders right now.
Grade: A
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Charlotte Hornets' Trade Grade
Hornets get: C Spencer Hawes, SF Matt Barnes
Clippers get: SG Lance Stephenson
Bolded stuff = most important points/summary/highlights
I love the move for L.A. With their current roster proving that they are incapable of advancing past the second round of the playoffs for two years in a row, it was clear that adding another piece was necessary if the Clippers hoped to become true title contenders. And now they have, assuming that they are able to re-sign star C DeAndre Jordan.
Although coming off a disappointing season where he averaged just 8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on an abysmal 37.5% shooting from the field, Stephenson oozes potential. His antics and lack of maturity are a major turn-off for most teams, but in the right role Lance can be an All-Star. Prior to this season with the Hornets, he averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and a steal on an efficient 49% shooting with the Indiana Pacers en route to an All-Star snub. He is still a defensive force with incredible length (6’11” wingspan) that boasts a very well-rounded overall game: a fair comparison could be SF/SG Nicolas Batum (POR). Still just 24, Stephenson’s offensive game is still capable of further development, which would make him a true star in this league. His contract is reasonable as well, as he’s owed just $9 million this year before a $9.4 million team option for next season.
For all this, what did L.A have to give up? Next to nothing: Barnes is on an expiring $3.5 million contract, and he’s no more than a role player. He averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds per game this season, which is actually one of the better ones of his career. Barnes’ main attributes are his toughness, solid ability to stretch the floor as a shooter, and his defensive tenacity. According to reports, he’s expected to be waived by Charlotte.
Hawes, on the other hand, is an interesting case. He was very impressive last year on a depleted Philadelphia squad: 13 points, 8.5 rebounds, a combined 2 steals and blocks per game, all while knocking down 1.5 threes on a ridiculous 40% from beyond the arc. This year, however, his minutes have been cut from 31.5 to 17.5 per game with the Clippers, and he’s only put up 6 points, 3.5 rebounds, a combined 1 steal and block per game, and only made 1 three on 31.5% shooting from downtown. Could he be just as effective as he was in Philadelphia with an uptick in minutes? Perhaps, but his overall numbers fell off more than proportionally with the decrease in minutes. He’s a good shooter, especially for his height, and a serviceable defender as well, but his inability to utilize his size in terms of scoring inside and grabbing more rebounds is alarming. He’s owed $5.7 milion a year through 2018, although that’s reasonable, the length of the deal is almost reliant on the fact that he will be able to develop into more than just a shooter.
All in all, the Clippers gave up a couple of role players, the latter on a rather undesirable contract, for a potential star. Adding depth up front and maybe another small forward to fill the holes left by Barnes and Hawes respectively will be necessary for them to legitimately stake their claim as title favorites, but this trade at the very least gives L.A that opportunity (to be title contenders) while giving up next to nothing in exchange.
Grade: A