Grizz don't think too highly of Speights...

[ArtVandelay]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8868058/memphis-grizzlies-cleveland-cavaliers-agree-multiplayer-trade-sources-say

I would say he is a bargain for under 5 million for a bench player for a contending team.

[gogators73]

Wow so Cleveleland gets: Speights, Ellington, Selby and a 1st Round Pick

Memphis gets: Jon Leuer

[your_perfect_enemy]

pure salary dump, I don't think it's as much a reflection on their opinion of him

[ArtVandelay]

pure salary dump, I don't think it's as much a reflection on their opinion of him

If you are salary dumping a guy that only makes $4.5 million, then your GM has really gotten you in a bind...

[GatorRade]

He really showed some promise in his first year or two with the 76ers, but I'm not sure I wouldn't dump him at this point as well. Not saying Speights is the worst player in the NBA or anything, but I wouldn't be surprised to see someone think they can get better a return off that 4.5 mil than Speights is giving them.

[madgator]

Memphis is a small market team that is not getting strong revenues that was over the salary cap by $6 million. Thus they are subject to the luxury tax. The trade got them below that number and they were able to keep the starters/8 man rotation pretty much intact. Memphis is a team that can contend for the conference title.


so again, I don't think it has anything to do with their "thoughts" on Speights or whether or not he is a bargain. The trade saves them money without impacting their lineup.

a no brainer trade for them in my opinion


for the cavs, its a good deal as they are getting a young and inexpensive talent.

for speights, this might be his opportunity to get consistent quality minutes with a team whose play style should suit him well.

[ArtVandelay]

I understand the luxury tax deal. Not sure Arthur is a better option at $3 million for them. They are kind of thin with depth at the frontcourt.

I still think the GM messed up if they had to drop someone they valued at $4.5 million.

I'm not that high on Speights. I think he probably has as much talent as Haslem but has underachieved where Haslem has excelled.

[ThePlayer]

pure salary dump, I don't think it's as much a reflection on their opinion of him

Totally agree....5 rebounds a game is pretty good for a bench player in the NBA.

[madgator]

I understand the luxury tax deal. Not sure Arthur is a better option at $3 million for them. They are kind of thin with depth at the frontcourt.

I still think the GM messed up if they had to drop someone they valued at $4.5 million.

I'm not that high on Speights. I think he probably has as much talent as Haslem but has underachieved where Haslem has excelled.


obviously the Cavs didn't want Arthur.


people here are looking at this from a completely wrong point of view

[regurgigator]

I understand the luxury tax deal. Not sure Arthur is a better option at $3 million for them. They are kind of thin with depth at the frontcourt.

I still think the GM messed up if they had to drop someone they valued at $4.5 million.

I'm not that high on Speights. I think he probably has as much talent as Haslem but has underachieved where Haslem has excelled.


As I hinted in the other thread about Speights, I think he's probably more talented than Haslem, just less focused or something.

Speights seems to me to have 20-10 talent (i.e., 20 ppg/10 rpg), and maybe if the Cavs "have" to start him (not sure what their options are) we'll get a chance to see it.

I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of this.

[tupacbiff]

Mad- good job being the voice of reason. So many other posts were way off base. It is shocking the amount of people who don't understand nba economics

[Ahab]

Speights has plenty of talent but doesn't focus on defense and shoots every time he touches the ball on offense.

[madgator]

Speights has plenty of talent but doesn't focus on defense and shoots every time he touches the ball on offense.

fair points both