Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

The Grizzlies, looking to bolster their scoring options on the wing in the ever-competitive Western Conference, are actively trying to obtain Miami’s Luol Deng or Boston’s Jeff Green ahead of the Feb. 19 trade deadline, according to league sources.

No deal is imminent, sources said, but it has become clear the Grizzlies are intent on upgrading their wing rotation before the deadline in a conference where teams behind third-place Memphis (25-10) in the standings have already made notable in-season additions — such as Dallas (Rajon Rondo) and Houston (Corey Brewer and Josh Smith) — and where Oklahoma City has yet to move into playoff position.

[…]

Green, meanwhile, is widely believed to be available leading into the deadline in the wake of Boston’s deal to send Rondo to Dallas last month. although Green told local reporters last week on the eve of Rondo’s first game at TD Garden as a visiting player that he doesn’t “want to know how that feels because I don’t want to be traded.”

Any Grizzlies offer for Deng or Green is likely to feature the $7.7 million expiring contract of Tayshaun Prince as well as the promise of future draft compensation.

Marc Stein, ESPN.com – Sources: Grizzlies eye Deng or Green

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Grizzlies are interested in trading for Jeff Green, who is “widely believed to be available.” Before you start expecting Marc Gasol, Mike Conley or even Zach Randolph in return, it’s more likely that the Celtics would receive Tayshaun Prince’s expiring corpse and a potential draft pick.  What that pick would likely be is difficult to figure, due to other trades the Grizzlies have made, but it’s possible it wouldn’t be until 2019 if it was a first rounder.

Green does have a player option after this year so it is possible he picks it up and puts off free agency for another year.  His agent is David Falk though, so I doubt that happens.  Prince, however, is an expiring contract so the C’s would be guaranteed to shed that money off the cap this summer.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Prince was immediately waived, then again based on how things have gone here lately I wouldn’t be surprised if he played 40 minutes per game the rest of the year.

Either way, expect the Celtics to be involved in a lot of rumors and probable deals between now and the February deadline.  The race for the title is wide open this year and the Celtics have plenty of solid players on friendly contracts that could help other teams while netting some pieces for this long term rebuild.

Page 2: Crowder’s hustle is contagious

Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez took a couple of steps toward midcourt as Joe Johnson‘s errant pass skipped away but quickly pulled up, seemingly convinced that it would simply roll harmlessly out of bounds on the opposite end. Boston Celtics backup swingman Jae Crowder wasn’t nearly as convinced.

Despite being about 10 feet behind Lopez at the start of the sequence, Crowder went full sprint down the middle of the floor, managed to corral the loose ball near the top of the charge circle beneath the basket and was fouled from behind to earn two free throws.

Crowder’s hustle not only exemplified the sort of energy he’s brought to Boston’s second unit since being acquired last month in the deal that sent Rajon Rondo to Dallas, but highlighted Boston’s gritty performance during Wednesday’s 89-81 triumph over the Nets at the Barclays Center.

On a night in which Boston didn’t always have it going offensively — shooting just 39.8 percent overall, including 27.8 percent beyond the 3-point arc — and fell behind by double digits in the first quarter, the Celtics rallied largely on defense and hustle.

ESPNBoston – Crowd(er) pleaser: Newcomer provides energy, hustle off Boston bench

Newcomer Jae Crowder sort of called out Brad Stevens a bit after Monday’s loss to the Hornets.  But, give him credit for backing up his post game chatter (unlike some players) by playing hard and being a big factor on the floor.  That  one play where he embarrassed Brook Lopez was the signature play of the game.  I like him more and more each game, and he’s forcing Stevens to keep him out there.

Boston Globe – Avery Bradley leads Celtics past Nets | James Young still odd man out for Celtics

Boston Herald – Celtics do the hustle | Celtics notebook: Jameer Nelson struggles to fit

CSNNE – Celtics step up physical play in 89-81 win vs Nets | Stars, studs and duds: Two-way performance by Bradley | Crowder brings effort and hustle to the Celtics | Stevens slims down rotation vs. Nets

WEEI – 10 trades worth the Celtics’ while Part 2 | Celtics power rankings

MassLive – Jae Crowder blows by Brook Lopez for loose ball | Veteran Jameer Nelson reacts to being inactive | Memphis Grizzlies trying to acquire Jeff Green, Luol Deng according to report