Report: Celtics, Grizzlies, Pelicans agree on 5-player deal; will be finalized Monday
One of the more complicated and drawn-out NBA trades in recent memory will finally become official when the NBA office opens Monday, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly agreed on a three-way deal that will send Jeff Green from Boston to Memphis in exchange for Tayshaun Prince and a future first-round pick. The Grizzlies will send Quincy Pondexter and a second-round pick this June to New Orleans, while the Pelicans will send rookie Russ Smith to Memphis and Austin Rivers to Boston.
| 3-Team Trade | Receives | Sends |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis | Jeff Green, Russ Smith | Tayshaun Prince, Quincy Pondexter, 1st round pick |
| Boston | Austin Rivers, Tayshaun Prince, 1st round pick | Jeff Green |
| New Orleans | Quincy Pondexter, 2nd round pick | Austin Rivers, Russ Smith |
Rivers will reportedly be dealt by the Celtics almost immediately, with the guard likely headed to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Duke product is the son of Clippers coach Doc Rivers, and according to Wojnarowski, L.A. general manager Dave Wohl has encouraged Doc to ignore the perception that nepotism would be the only reason to bring his son to the team.
Austin is a 39 percent shooter in his three-year NBA career, averaging 6.8 points in 22.1 minutes per game this season.
Green is by far the top player in the deal, giving the Grizzlies a needed wing scorer who can defend both forward positions. Through 33 games with the Celts, Green was their leading scorer, averaging 17.6 points.
The sole value for Boston in 34-year-old Prince, far removed from his days as an elite defender, is his expiring contract. Boston GM Danny Ainge has already dealt forward/center Brandan Wright in the past week, and once this trade is official, the Celtics will possess 11 first-round draft picks over the next four years.