The much-rumored trade that sends guard Courtney Lee from the Boston Celtics to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for guard Jerryd Bayless has been completed, the Celtics announced Tuesday.
The deal also included the Celtics acquiring forward Ryan Gomes from the Oklahoma City Thunder to make salary figures match up. Gomes was waived by the Celtics after the trade, the team announced.
The Celtics also sent a 2016 second-round draft pick to the Grizzlies.
Lee, 28, is averaging 7.4 points in 16.8 minutes a game this season, including career-highs in field goal shooting (49.2 percent) and 3-point shooting (44.2 percent). He’s playing his best basketball since coming to the Celtics in 2012, and with a contract of more than $5 million a year lasting through the 2015-2016 season, he was primed to be dealt from a Celtics team that is looking to rebuild while also balancing playing time in its backcourt.
Bayless, 25, is signed through the end of this season for $3.1 million. He is averaging 8.1 points and 2.0 assists in 21 minutes a game this season.
Gomes played in just five games for the Thunder this season. The Celtics originally picked the Providence College forward in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft (50th overall). He has averaged 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds over eight seasons in the NBA, including time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers.
