Memphis Grizzlies: 15 players who defined Grit and Grind

Jeff Green might have only spent part of two seasons on the Grizzlies, but his time in Memphis was definitely memorable. For better or worse, the Grizzlies wanted a more dynamic scoring option over the savvy defensive-minded Tayshaun Prince. So the Grizzlies traded Prince away in exchange for the always alluring Green with the Boston Celtics in January 2015.

That 2014-15 team at times looked like it could win an NBA championship. The Golden State Warriors weren’t the juggernaut we all know them to be now. Memphis was in that upper crust of about five teams at the time (Memphis, Golden State, the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers). Man, how do things change over time.

Green had been with the Celtics since February 2011. He might have missed the championship window in Boston, but was seen as a decent starter at the 3 and a sixth-man type of player coming off the bench if need be. Memphis wanted his scoring, and especially the few times each year Green would just go on an offensive tear. It’s his calling card as a pro.

However, the deal didn’t turn out to be a great one for the Grizzlies or Green. While he averaged 13.1 points per game in 45 games in 2014-15, he only shot 42.7 percent from the floor while attempt 10.9 field goals per contest. Though he sort of filled that Rudy Gay role of a get-his-buckets 3, Memphis slightly regressed in the second half after his arrival.

The Grizzlies were 26-11 on Jan. 11, the day before they traded for Green. Memphis went 55-27 that season, meaning the Grizzlies were 29-16 after his arrival. The record discrepancy isn’t glaring, but the chemistry was always a little wonky with Green in the mix in Memphis.

After the Grizzlies parted ways with him in 2016 in a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, he quickly became a journeyman out on the wing. Since being dealt to Los Angeles, Green has been on four NBA teams since February 2016. He’ll begin the 2018-19 NBA season on the best team in the worst division in basketball in the Washington Wizards.

In 98 career games with the Grizzlies over two seasons, Green made 68 starts, averaging 29.6 minutes per game. He averaged 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game for Memphis, shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Overall, Green would play well enough to help Memphis win 55 games and reach the Western Conference Semifinals. However, it was a deal that honestly hurt the Grizzlies more than it helped. Though a captivating player for the Celtics and the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder before that, Green’s time in Memphis essentially brought an end to him being seen as a reliable starting NBA small forward.