Memphis Grizzlies trade rumors about a Rudy Gay trade may shift after the team pulled off a multi-player deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to a report from ESPN on Tuesday (Jan. 22), the Grizzlies traded Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby, and Marreese Speights to Cleveland as a way to clear payroll.
This deal is exactly what the team needed to do to get under the luxury cap threshold without having to trade Gay or Zach Randolph, but it could seriously call into question the depth of the roster moving forward. In fantasy basketball terms, Ellington was a marginal player in most leagues, but he might find a nice role to take on with the Cavaliers now.
In exchange for those three players and a future first-round draft pick, the Grizzlies receive Jon Leuer and $6 million of extra room in their payroll. This can be viewed as a trade exception at some point, meaning the team could take on another small contract for the 2012-13 season. Now the Grizzlies also get out of the $4.5 million player option owed to Speights for the 2013-14 NBA season.
This Memphis Grizzlies trade could end up hurting the team if they do not find enough players to come off the bench and create points for the team. Retaining Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay keeps the very talented starting five of this franchise intact though. For the Cleveland Cavaliers, they have room under the salary cap this season and bring on more assets in a move that they will be applauded for.
As for all the Rudy Gay trade rumors, this deal may bring those discussions to an end.
More Basketball News:
Comments