John Leuer worth more in trade than we thought, Pargo Waived

Jon Leuer

Jon Leuer was traded today for 3 THREE Memphis Grizzlies AND a future (undisclosed) draft pick.  That’s a pretty good value for a guy that didn’t get much run.  Out of the three Grizz we got, I think Speights has a chance to contribute… I’m not sure the other guys will stay on the squad

Pargo (who I thought played well when he was out there) was waived today.  I think he’ll find a home somewhere soon.

via cavs.com 

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.”

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.

Speights (selected as the 16th overall pick of the 2008 NBA draft by the Philadelphis 76ers) has appeared in 40 games (two starts) for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game. Over five seasons and 305 games, Speights has career averages of 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. Ellington (selected as the 28th overall pick of the 2009 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves) has played in 40 games (four starts) for Memphis this year and is averaging 5.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game. He has played in 229 games over four seasons in the NBA and has career averages of 6.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game. Selby (selected as the 49th overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies) has appeared in 10 games for Memphis this season, averaging 2.0 points in 5.9 minutes per game. He has played in 38 career games over his two-year NBA career, averaging 2.2 points in 7.8 minutes per game.

Leuer has appeared in nine games for the Cavs this season, averaging 2.4 points in 11.8 minutes per game. Pargo has played in 25 games (11 starts) this year and has averaged 7.8 points and 2.6 assists in 18.0 minutes per game.

Andy Out 6 to 8 Weeks, Needs Surgery

via ASSOCIATED PRESS and ESPN.com

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao needs surgery to repair a torn leg muscle and could miss two more months, a major blow to a young Cleveland team struggling through another miserable season.

The NBA’s leading rebounder, Varejao got hurt in a Dec. 18 game against Toronto. The injury was initially diagnosed by team doctors as only a bruised right knee, but as his symptoms persisted, more tests were performed and revealed a “longitudinal split” between Varejao’s quadriceps and knee. Also, ultrasound imaging revealed tissue underneath the muscle tear was herniating.

Varejao will have surgery on Thursday, and the team said he will be sidelined a minimum of six to eight weeks. The team said Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo., provided a second opinion on the injury.

Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott is hoping Varejao can return this season. Scott said he has not spoken to Varejao.

“I may just go up to him and give him a big hug and tell him it’s going to be OK,” Scott said at the team’s morning shootaround.

This is the third straight season that Varejao has been sidelined for significant time with a serious injury. He missed 51 games in 2011 with a torn ligament in his foot and 41 games last season after breaking his wrist. One of the NBA’s scrappiest players, Varejao was playing at an All-Star level when he banged his knee last month and went down with what appeared to be a routine injury.

However, it’s much worse and the Cavs are again without an important piece as they try to rebuild.

Cleveland has had more than its share of injuries in the past few seasons. Point guard Kyrie Irving, last season’s rookie of the year, missed 11 games earlier this season with a broken finger and he’s one of three Cavaliers who have had to wear protective face masks to protect broken facial bones.

Scott has only had his full complement of players for seven games this season. The Cavs are 8-28 heading into Wednesday night’s home game against Atlanta.

“It’s real tough,” Scott said. “You’re disappointed, frustrated and (ticked) off. You have so many different emotions going through your head, but what can you do? Everybody in this league has to deal with injuries and we’ve had to deal with them for three straight years. You just got to keep playing hard with the guys that you have.”

Varejao’s injury may also change other plans for Cleveland. The Cavs were likely to explore trade possibilities for the 6-foot-11 Varejao to acquire more future draft picks. But now that he’s hurt, the Cavs are stuck and have to hope youngsters like Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller improve with more playing time.

“When you have a big blow like this, you’re going to have guys get a golden opportunity,” Scott said. “When you have an injury like this there is always a silver lining.”

Say hello to Shaun Livingston, saying goodbye to Sloan and Samardo

Happy New Year Cavs Fans

Haven’t updated in a while, but took this Sunday to add Shaun Livingston and to update the final stats for Donald Sloan and Samardo Samuels.

Samuels was waived today and Sloan was waived to make way for Livingston.  Cavs roster is at 14.

Livingston

Samardo

Sloan