HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Cavs’ most prominent free agents are guards Wayne Ellington and Shaun Livingston and center Marreese Speights. The Cavs would like to sign Ellington. That means presenting him a qualifying offer of $3 million. It’s not as easy with Speights. It appears as if they hope he opts out of his deal. He might not fit their culture. Livingston emerged as a top-notch backup point — not quite as good as Golden State’s Jarrett Jack — but still a quality guard, nonetheless. He’ll likely ask for $3 million or $4 million, and settle for something like $2 million or $2.5 million, a source said. Morning Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Shaun Livingston, Wayne Ellington, Marreese Speights 

Cavs center Marreese Speights is expected to opt out of his contract at the end of the season. I don’t believe the Cavs will go out of their way to try to sign him in free agency. Here’s why. Anderson Varejao will be the starting center, flanked by Thompson at power forward, on next year’s team. Tyler Zeller will move back to his role as third big — the first big man off the bench. I believe the Cavs will try to add one of the talented big men with their high first-round pick in the 2013 NBA draft. Then, if they are able to sign Greg Oden, they’d be fortified in the frontcourt. The 7-foot Oden could eventually be worked into the rotation. If he excels, the Cavs would have talent and depth. If he fails to regain his edge, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Morning Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Marreese Speights 

The big man that the Knicks, Pacers, Lakers and Heat wanted — the Cavs’ Marreese Speights, a good rebounder and banger — never came close to leaving. Speights makes $4.2 million this season and has a player option for next season at $4.5 million. Which is why the Cavs were wise to keep him. New York Daily News

Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Marreese Speights 

The Nets get their first look at the revamped Grizzlies Sunday in Brooklyn. By sending Gay to Toronto and off-loading Marreese Speights to Cleveland, it's all about shedding salaries and avoiding taxes for the new ownership group, headed by Robert Pera. Those weren't basketball-driven decisions, but had everything to do with the new bosses' demands to save money. As one team official put it, "They put a gun to our head." New York Daily News

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Marreese Speights, Robert Pera 

Ben Golliver: Availability of Marreese Speights and Jermaine O'Neal has softened market for Blazers F/C J.J. Hickson, according to league sources Twitter @blazersedge

Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Jermaine O'Neal, Marreese Speights 

It's similar to the Ramon Sessions situation last season. He had a player's option on his deal and the Cavs traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers last February. "It's out of my control," Speights said. "It's up to the front office. Whatever they do on Thursday, we'll see what happens." The 25-year-old Speights said he wouldn't mind staying with the Cavs. "I love Cleveland," he said. "I love these fans. I love playing with these kids, these players. Whatever happens Thursday is out of my control." News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Marreese Speights 

There was little chatter regarding the Cavs during the All-Star break in Houston, and for all the conjecture over Mo Speights’ future, multiple sources said over the weekend and again on Tuesday his name has yet to really gain traction in any trade talk. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Marreese Speights 

However, Speights didn’t have a tough decision to make. He had always wanted to play in Cleveland, dating all the way back to the 2008 NBA Draft. Speights thought he was going to be drafted by the Cavaliers at No. 19, but the Philadelphia 76ers selected him three picks before Cleveland would go on the clock. “A lot of people don’t know that I’m the one who signed off on getting traded,” Speights said. “I came here because I knew they had a young team, great city and great fans. I always wanted to be here.” HoopsWorld

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Marreese Speights 

The consensus around the league is that Speights, who has a player’s option on his 2013-14 season, will undoubtedly become a free agent. That’s why the Cavs are expected to entertain offers for him at the Feb. 21 trade deadline. In fact, all three players they got in the deal could be free agents. Morning Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Trade, Marreese Speights 

These Grizzlies aren't the Lakers, and they don't get a lot of chances at making a deep playoff run. They could've hung in there for this season, but instead bailed on it. Across the NBA, front offices were incredulous with the way that Memphis unloaded Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington and Josh Selby, along with a future first-round pick, in a salary dump to Cleveland last week. Several league executives insisted Memphis could've waited until closer to the deadline, traded the parts individually and, minimally, received returns on Speights and Ellington. "Beyond a panic move," one Eastern Conference GM said. "Cleveland would always be there with that deal." Yahoo! Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Wayne Ellington, Marreese Speights, Josh Selby 

The Cavs' trade with Memphis illustrated what a team armed with cap space can accomplish. Whenever a team can turn Jon Leuer into Marreese Speights and a first-round pick, it's a win. The deal was lopsided and a feather in Grant's cap. The Grizzlies needed to get under the luxury-tax threshold. His last two transactions have helped re-shape the team. His waiver claim of journeyman Shaun Livingston was also a shrewd move. Grant will be on the prowl for more young talent at the Feb. 21 deadline. Three players with expiring contracts, Luke Walton, Daniel Gibson and Omri Casspi, could be moved. ESPN's Marc Stein said not to be surprised if the Cavs flop Speights to another team at the deadline. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Omri Casspi, Luke Walton, Daniel Gibson, Marreese Speights 

Speights had the ability to veto his inclusion in the trade to the Cavs. By doing so, he gave up his "Bird" rights, which means the Cavs cannot exceed the cap to re-sign him. He has a player's option on his contract for next year worth $4.5 million. If he plays well in the second half of the season, agent Andy Miller might recommend pursuing a multiyear deal. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Marreese Speights 

Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant has been tracking Marreese Speights since the big man was playing at Florida. And Cleveland could certainly use a boost on the front line after announcing this week that Anderson Varejao would be lost for the season after his recent leg surgery left the Brazilian with a blood clot in his right lung. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Marreese Speights 

Don't be shocked if the Cavaliers decide to move Speights on again before the Feb. 21 deadline. The Cavs obviously aren't in the playoff hunt and word is they're already receiving interest in Speights, who possesses a $4.5 million player option for next season. The Cavs are also armed with $12 million in expiring contracts and roughly $4 million in leftover cap space for the summer, which means they've got the tools to continue to be active before this deadline. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Marreese Speights 

Marreese Speights: I wanna s/o to my big bro in my fav player @Tony Allen for helping me become a better player!!! Much love bro Twitter @Mospeights16

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Tony Allen, Marreese Speights 

Marreese Speights: I've been blessed to play for a team and a city that has embraced me. I will never forget the love and support I received from #grizznation Twitter @Mospeights16

Memphis Grizzlies, Marreese Speights 

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired forward Jon Leuer (LOO-er) and a trade exception from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for forward/center Marreese Speights, guards Wayne Ellington and Josh Selby and a protected future first round draft pick, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced. Currently in his second professional season, Leuer (6-10, 228) recorded 19.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists on .512 shooting (.467 3FG) in 36.5 minutes in eight games (seven starts) for Cleveland’s exclusively-owned NBA Development League team, the Canton Charge. The 23-year-old also has made nine appearances for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 2.4 points in 10.1 minutes. NBA.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Trade, Wayne Ellington, Marreese Speights, Jon Leuer, Josh Selby 

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward/center Marreese Speights, guard Wayne Ellington, guard Josh Selby and a future first round draft pick from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for forward Jon Leuer, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts. The Cavaliers also waived guard Jeremy Pargo. “Marreese will strengthen our front court, while Wayne and Josh will add depth to our back court. At the same time, we are adding a valuable asset with another future first round pick, while also maintaining our future flexibility,” said Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. “We wish Jon and Jeremy the best as they move on with their careers and thank them for their time with us here in Cleveland.” NBA.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Wayne Ellington, Marreese Speights, Jon Leuer, Josh Selby, Jeremy Pargo 

Ronald Tillery: Source confirms Speights, Ellington, Selby and protected first in 2015 to Cavs. Griz receive Jon Leuer and $6.4 million trade exception Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Trade, Marreese Speights, Jon Leuer 

In a much- desired need to get under the NBA's luxury tax, the Memphis Grizzlies traded forward-center Marreese Speights, guards Josh Selby and Wayne Ellington and a future draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Jon Leuer, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday. USA Today Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Trade, Wayne Ellington, Marreese Speights, Jon Leuer, Josh Selby