Shooting guard Lance Stephenson traded for the second time in less than a year, leaving the Los Angeles Clippers for the Memphis Grizzlies today in exchange for forward Jeffe Green.
In turn, power forward Markieff Morris left the Phoenix Suns for the Washington Wizards.
Stephenson and Morris thus starred in the most relevant transfers in the closing of operations in the NBA.
Stephenson, 25, left the Indiana Pacers in 2014 for the Charlotte Hornets, but he did not fit in with the team owned by Michael Jordan and ended up with the Clippers, where he could not finish the season with the Los Angeles team, in the who was the leader in triple-doubles during the 2013-2014 season.
The Suns sent Morris, who was struggling with the roster, to the Wizards in exchange for power forward Kris Humphries and center DeJuan Blair.
Brazilian center Anderson Varejao was sent by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for power forward Channing Frye of the Orlando Magic.
The Florida team will receive a second pick in the college draft from the Cavaliers and an undecided player from Cleveland or Portland.
Varejao’s departure allows the Cavaliers to shave $10 million off their salary cap next season, which will allow them to be aggressive in the free-agent market to compete for a star signing.
The Houston Rockets sent Lithuanian power forward Donatas Motiejunas and point guard Marcus Thornton to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for 33-year-old center Joel Anthony.
Although Motiejunas, 25, was the protagonist in the team’s triumphs last season, a back injury reduced his performance this season with only 14 games and an average of 5.6 points.
The Pistons also added Magic forward Tobias Harris and traded point guard Brandon Jennings and Turkish power forward Ersan Ilyasova.
The Denver Nuggets sent shooting guard Randy Foye to the Oklahoma City Thunder and received number one DJ Augustin and forward Steve Novak.
The Miami Heat traded center Chris Andersen to the Grizzlies and received guard Brian Roberts from the Hornets while the Bulls sent guard Kirk Hinrich to the Hawks. EFE
Lance Stephenson arrives in Memphis for Jeff Green; Markieff Morris to Washington
