Discussing Other Teams' Moves Part 2

[closg00]

Selby played in 1 game in December and a handful of games this month. Perhaps he will get a shot to show something with the Cavs.

[badinage]

The story here is that a good team that might've knocked off the Spurs or Thunder or Clippers just gutted its bench.

If I were a Memphis fan, I wouldn't be thrilled.

Nor would I be thrilled with the constant floating of names that has been going on with Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay.

Nor with the hubris of the new guys in ownership and management.

[MikeTheKid]

The story here is that a good team that might've knocked off the Spurs or Thunder or Clippers just gutted its bench.

If I were a Memphis fan, I wouldn't be thrilled.

Nor would I be thrilled with the constant floating of names that has been going on with Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay.

Nor with the hubris of the new guys in ownership and management.

You gotta think that one of Gay and Z-Bo could still be traded cause if there still in win now mode there gonna need some bench guys bad especially someone to replace Speights who was basically there first guy off the bench

[MikeTheKid]

Just saw this on MEM board:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/jan/22/grizzlies-trade-speights-selby-and-draft-pick-cavs/

Grizzlies to trade Speights, Ellington, Selby and draft pick for Cavs' Jon Leuer

By Ronald Tillery
Posted January 22, 2013 at 8:25 a.m., updated January 22, 2013 at 8:56 a.m.

929espn: From @ChrisVernonShow : #Grizzlies to sign F Bill Walker G Delonte West G Sasha Vujacic.

Then saw this on Twitter:

Chris Vernon ‏@ChrisVernonShow
More News: If Grizzlies don't sign Walker/West - are considering Micah Downs, Eddie House, or Joe Ingles (currently in Barcelona)

If I were a Grizz fan I'd be really pissed!!!

[Nivek]

The thing that puzzles me a little about the Memphis trade is that they included both Speights and Ellington. Selby is irrelevant -- he didn't play much, and he played badly when he did. Speights was decent, though. Ellington isn't all that good, but he can at least shoot the three.

Memphis could have gotten under the luxury tax threshold by trading Speights alone -- they needed to shed ~$3.8 million, Speights is getting $4.2 million. They could have gotten to $4.1 million by trading Ellington, Haddadi and Selby. Considering Memphis gave up the pick, they should have been able to hang on to either Speights or Ellington.

[Ruzious]

Cap space...ugh, good gosh. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

And this was for very little cap space. It's an ALT (avoid luxury tax) trade rather than a BOYD, and Cleveland gets basically a free top 5 protected 2015 1st rounder from Memphis (if what I read is correct). That could easily be a lottery pick. For Memphis, it's another cost of the Gay contract.

[Ruzious]

The thing that puzzles me a little about the Memphis trade is that they included both Speights and Ellington. Selby is irrelevant -- he didn't play much, and he played badly when he did. Speights was decent, though. Ellington isn't all that good, but he can at least shoot the three.

Memphis could have gotten under the luxury tax threshold by trading Speights alone -- they needed to shed ~$3.8 million, Speights is getting $4.2 million. They could have gotten to $4.1 million by trading Ellington, Haddadi and Selby. Considering Memphis gave up the pick, they should have been able to hang on to either Speights or Ellington.

They might be planning on another move that would cost a little in cap space - and they probably don't think a whole lot of Ellington (as well as Speights and Selby) - and getting rid of him gives them room for a contingency move or 2.

[fishercob]

I wonder if Hollinger also thinks Leuer can help on the court. I know he was a favorite of several stat guys and he hasn't stuck anywhere or gotten consistent run.

[Ruzious]

Milwaukee did give Leuer a shot early on but Scott Skiles lost patience with him (as he had a tendency to do with young players) and put him in the doghouse. I think he could become a useful player - especially if he takes MORE 3 pointers, and his lack of strength is something he's got to work on. Guys his height with his jump shot are always going to intrigue, but still being in the D League at this point isn't the best of signs.

[Zonkerbl]

Another sign that GMs are eyeing the incoming new luxury taxes with terror. Maybe EG was just being super forward looking with the Okariza trade?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Cap space...ugh, good gosh. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

Say it again. Ahhh ...

[closg00]

At the end of Summer League/pre-season there were two players everyone was talking about, Lillard & Selby....just remembered that.

[montestewart]

Cap space...ugh, good gosh. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

Say it again. Ahhh ...

Good God. You all.

[Ruzious]

At the end of Summer League/pre-season there were two players everyone was talking about, Lillard & Selby....just remembered that.

And even though Sebly's been out of school for a few years, he's still 8-9 months younger than Lillard, so his age might be a valid excuse for his poor stats at various stages.

[LyricalRico]

The Toronto Raptors would prefer to trade Kyle Lowry over Jose Calderon, according to league sources.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... r_Calderon

Kyle Lowry, who has quickly worn out his welcome in Toronto, could be an option for the Mavs or Hawks, who are both in need of point-guard help. With only $1 million guaranteed next season, Lowry would be a short-term fix without clogging up future cap space.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/2161 ... rs-in-bind

Anybody see a team out there that would go for a Bargnani+Lowry package?

[dandrews]

What did Lowry do to wear out his welcome? He was tearing it up earlier in the year.

[dangermouse]

Celtics out: Pierce
Celtics in: Butler and Odom + a 1st round pick

Clips out: Butler and Odom + a 1st
Clips in: Pierce

Celtics send Pierce to his home town without the taboo of trading with the Lakers.

Clippers get better on the wing and give Paul more incentive to stay as they become more of a contender than they are now.

Celtics tank while Rondo is down, aiming for a Wiggins/Parker score in the 2014 draft.

[nate33]

Celtics out: Pierce
Celtics in: Butler and Odom + a 1st round pick

Clips out: Butler and Odom + a 1st
Clips in: Pierce

Celtics send Pierce to his home town without the taboo of trading with the Lakers.

Clippers get better on the wing and give Paul more incentive to stay as they become more of a contender than they are now.

Celtics tank while Rondo is down, aiming for a Wiggins/Parker score in the 2014 draft.

This makes a ton of sense for both teams. I like it.

[LyricalRico]

Are you sure Boston is getting enough? Seems like LAC makes out a little too good. Maybe include Bledsoe now that Rondo is out?

And I don't think you can deal Pierce without also making plans to deal KG. It doesn't have to be the same deal, of course, but I think any Pierce trade scenario needs to also include some type of a KG trade. Maybe to DAL for Kaman's expiring and a pick? Or to Houston for some of their young guys?

[Ruzious]

What did Lowry do to wear out his welcome? He was tearing it up earlier in the year.

Beats me. I think he's Toronto's best player. Consider this is the same Toronto team that was starting Bargnani over Amir Johnson - who's probably their 2nd best player.