NBA Trade Rumors 2016: Grizzlies Send Courtney Lee to Hornets in Three-Team Deal
The Charlotte Hornets finally made something happen right before the trade deadline by acquiring veteran shooting guard Courtney Lee from the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal. Memphis, meanwhile, got P.J. Hairston and two second round picks from the Hornets, with the Miami Heat serving as the third team. The Heat, in turn, received guard Brian Roberts, while sending high-flying center Chris Andersen and two second-round picks to the Grizzlies.
The deal is by far one of only a few developments in an otherwise silent season for trades. The Hornets made it possible because of the news that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who recently came back from injury, will again miss the remaining games of the season after another injury to his shoulder that requires surgery.
Although Lee is not as solid as Kidd-Gilchrist at the defensive end, the veteran, however, can provide Charlotte a genuine outside scoring option. He averages in double figures in scoring and currently shoots 37 percent on the three-point line. More importantly, Lee has a lot of experience in the postseason with his time in Memphis and is never shy of taking that three.
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Just like most other players who are set to become free agents at the end of the season, trading Lee was the most practical move the Grizzlies could make knowing that they couldn't get something valuable if they lose him in free agency.
With Hairston out and Kidd-Gilchrist missing the rest of the season, Lee will now be playing alongside Nicolas Batum, who incidentally has similar skillsets to him. It is however uncertain how head coach Steve Clifford will play this out — whether to start both players or have them back up each other. But one thing's for certain though: both will have extended minutes for a team hoping to get back to the playoffs this year.
They currently are in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, which by the way is the last spot to qualify for the postseason.
