The Boston Celtics made one of the biggest trades of the offseason by sending Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets and the team hasn't stopped dealing yet, as reports have come out that Fab Melo is being moved to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal for Donte Greene.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Melo is being dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in basically what amounts to a financial move, as he was set to make over $1 million this year and now the Celtics take on Greene, who has a minimum contract that is not guaranteed and can be cut. The Celtics are working on getting their numbers as low as they can while they are rebuilding and now the Grizzlies get a young player that they hope to develop around Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Greene could provide some solid depth for Boston if he stays and Melo will do the same for Memphis.
Melo comes after playing his college ball at Syracuse and he is a tall and raw player after playing mostly in the D-League. Last season he was named to the D-League All-Defensive First Team and D-League All-Rookie First Team, while Greene comes in after missing the entire season with a broken ankle and he played four seasons with the Kings prior to the injury. Melo played in 33 games and averaged 9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and a league-high 3.1 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game in the D-League and Greene moves after being the 28th pick in the 2008 draft and he has played in over 250 games, averaging 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game.
Brad Stevens is hopeful that the team does not trade Rajon Rondo as many have speculated and now there is a good chance that he will stay. Rondo is the best player left on the Celtics and he will get the chance to be the primary scorer with the stars now gone.
