Memphis, TN – The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly agreed to trade a trio of players to the Cleveland Cavaliers in an effort to avoid paying the luxury tax this season.
According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the Grizzlies will send forward Marreese Speights, guard Josh Selby and a future draft pick to Cleveland in exchange for forward Jon Leuer. The Cleveland Plain Dealer also said guard Wayne Ellington will head to the Cavs in the deal as well.
The Appeal said the swap will free up some $6 million to keep the Grizzlies under the luxury tax threshold. Memphis would have had to pay $4 million for being over the line.
Speights has started just twice in 40 games this season and is averaging 6.5 points with 4.7 rebounds. He started 54 times in 60 games with the Grizzlies last season after spending his first three NBA seasons with Philadelphia. The Florida product has averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 305 NBA games.
Selby has appeared in 38 games over two seasons with the Grizzlies and this season is averaging 2.0 points in 10 outings, while Ellington is in his first season with Memphis after spending three years with Minnesota. The former North Carolina star is averaging 5.5 points in 40 games this season and has averaged 6.3 points in 229 NBA games.
Leuer has appeared in just nine games for the Cavs this season after playing 46 games last season as a rookie with Milwaukee. He has averaged 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 55 games.
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