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Memphis Grizzlies Add More Temper, Bring In Lance Stephenson

By Matthew Handel

Oct 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lance Stephenson (1) guards Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) in the first half of the game against at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lance Stephenson (1) guards Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) in the first half of the game against at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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With many players already on their roster with the reputation as “hotheads,” the Memphis Grizzlies add another, getting Lance Stephenson in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Lance Stephenson hasn’t been having the best year, only averaging 4.7 points per game, but he has been traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and he is hoping to turn his career around.

Many people had the same initial reaction to this trade — why did the Grizzlies just add another player with a hot-head reputation to a roster already full of them? Matt Barnes, Chris Andersen, Tony Allen and Zach Randolph are among the players who have been known to never back down from an opponent, at whatever cost necessary.

Stephenson has been known in his six years in the NBA more for his on court antics than what he actually brings to the table as a basketball player. Here are some of the examples the Grizzles might have to deal with in the future;

Although Stephenson has had a very colorful past when it comes to getting in trouble, he has kept his name under the radar lately. He has had times in his career when he was the best scorer on the court, but we haven’t seen that Lance Stephenson in a very long time.

The Grizzlies gave up Jeff Green, who was averaging 12.2 points per game this year. So they gave up a lot for what they got back. This trade has turned the Clippers into a legitimate contender and made the Grizzlies even worse.

There can be good news for Stephenson, he will most likely see a jump in minutes in Memphis. Getting rid of Green has opened up that small forward position. The Grizzlies also got rid of Courtney Lee earlier in the week, so there are minutes that need to be filled, Stephenson could be that guy that fills the void. However, he will need to keep staying under the radar and keeping his name out of the news for negative reasons.

The Grizzlies have always been known for defense and toughness, two things that Stephenson can excel in, if he is put in the right system. Not to mention that he will be playing alongside Tony Allen, one of the best defenders in the league. The two of them could form a great duo of harassing defenders that disrupt opposing teams’ frontcourts.

Related Story: 2016 NBA Trade Deadline Live Tracker

Memphis is currently in the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings, but trading away Jeff Green and only getting Stephenson in return may hurt them in the long run. Jeff Green was solid on both ends of the court so far this season, Stephenson on the other hand, has yet to find a good fit this year. We will have to sit back and see if the Grizzlies can turn Stephenson around and also keep him out of trouble.

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