Memphis Grizzlies: Top 5 moments of 2016

5. Trade Deadline movement

In the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, the Memphis Grizzlies established themselves as “buyers,” when they traded for Courtney Lee and Jeff Green. Both moves were designed to push the needle towards title contention.

Once Marc Gasol went down for the year, the Memphis Grizzlies wanted to capitalize on expiring contracts and retool a little bit.

No C-Lee

On the week of the trade deadline, through a three-team trade, the Grizzlies traded Courtney Lee to Charlotte in exchange for PJ Hairston, Chris “Birdman” (Never “Grizzilla”) Anderson and four second-round picks (two from Charlotte and two from Miami).

Hairston was seen as a young shooter who could pan out with a change of scenery. However, he only averaged 6.9 points on an abysmal 23.2 percent shooting from downtown.

Birdman made some reps at the starting center position. Ultimately, he took playing time away from young players.

Less Green

Then, as the trade deadline was drawing to a close, the Grizzlies made a deal with their rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, to trade Jeff Green for Lance Stephenson and a future lottery-protected 1st-round pick.

The Grizzlies flipped the pick on draft night for Deyonta Davis and Rade Zagorac. We’ve seen flashes of potential from Davis, before he suffered a foot injury. In addition, Zagorac is doing well overseas.

Despite the injury-riddled ending, Lance Stephenson put an emphatic end to the 2015-16 season. After many believed his time in the league was done, Stephenson used his tenure in Memphis to prove he belongs in the NBA. In 26.6 minutes per game (in 26 games), he averaged 14.4 points on a 47.4/35.5/81.5 shooting slash, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

The “Lance Stephenson” era was certainly one of the most entertaining time periods in franchise history.