The Cleveland Cavaliers are making moves to improve on their 10-32 record, second worst in the NBA. According to reports the Cavs have dealt little used PF Jon Leuer to the Memphis Grizzlies PF Marresse Spreights, SG Wayne Ellington and PG Josh Selby and a future first round pick.
The deal is a winner for the Cavs, trading Leuer who was not playing for three athletic and young role players with upside and a future first round pick. Spreights is the main gain, averaging 6.5 pts and 4.7 rebs off the bench. He has been buried behind Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol on the Grizzlies bench and his 6’10 frame and ability to hit jump shots should ease the loss of Cavs center Anderson Varejao for the season. It was announced late last night Varajao is out for the year with a blood clot in his lung.
Ellington is averaging 5.5 points while shooting over 42% from 3 point range. Selby is 21, and a point guard. Both will help bolster the Cavaliers young bench and allow them to evaluate the young players going forward.
The Cavs took on no long term money. Selby and Ellington are on rookie scale contracts and Spreights is scheduled to make a paltry 4.2 million with a player option of 4.5 mill for 2013.
The trade has been submitted to the NBA for approval. An announcement is expected later today.
