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 today.
“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.”
The Cavs will receive Memphis’s first round draft pick in the first available year (which is two years after Memphis has satisfied its current pick obligation to Minnesota). Starting in 2015 the pick could be conveyed to the Cavaliers. The pick is protected one-five and 15-30 in 2015 and 2016 (meaning the Cavaliers would acquire a 6-14 pick) and the pick is protected one-five in 2017 and 2018. If the pick has not been conveyed by 2018, it becomes unprotected in 2019.
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.
Leuer holds NBA career averages of 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds on .489 shooting in 11.7 minutes in 55 games (12 starts) with the Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks. The Long Lake, Minn. native was drafted by Milwaukee in the second round (40th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft after a four-year career at the University of Wisconsin.
Speights (6-10, 255) averaged 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds on .429 shooting in 14.5 minutes in 40 games (two starts) in his second season in Memphis. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round (16th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old owns career averages of 7.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists on .474 shooting in 16.2 minutes in 305 games (60 starts) over five seasons with the Grizzlies and 76ers.
Ellington (6-4, 200) posted 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists on .407 shooting in 16.9 minutes in 40 games (four starts) in his first season with the Grizzlies. Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round (28th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old holds career averages of 6.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists on .411 shooting in 18.4 minutes in 229 games (17 starts) over four seasons with the Grizzlies and Timberwolves.
Selby (6-2, 183) made 10 appearances with the Grizzlies this season, averaging 2.0 points in 5.9 minutes. Drafted by Memphis in the second round (49th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft, the 21-year-old owns career averages of 2.2 points and 0.9 assists on .330 shooting in 7.8 minutes in 38 games over two seasons with the Grizzlies.
