Marreese Speights Has a Player Option

[CleveRocks]

Speights played better defense when he got here than any of the Cavs players. but after the trade deadline he stopped giving that effort. I figure he either read the tank memo, or was avoiding injury on a team which clearly did not give a crap about defending. (same was true of ellington, but i think he continued to play defense after the trade deadline...)

If you look at the games he played in february, he had strong minutes and efficient numbers. He had a strong game in the loss to NYC in march, but it seems he dropped off as the season progressed.

So a little more checking. First from the game logs, Speights does a lot of his offensive damage with a very high percentage short jumper. If the guards kick out to him at 16 to 18 feet, he is money. The rest of his offense is inside assists or stick backs. He is a pretty good rebounder but gets in foul trouble from time to time. Then, from 82 games, he owns a 42% eFG for jumpers, which is damn good for a big. He also is very effective defending as a power forward, owning a +10 PER differential at that position, but gets killed defensively at Center. He played a little more than half his minutes at center last year.

All that said, I would not mind seeing him back. I think he would be best paired with a defensive, shot blocking center, with a strong post game, as he can space the floor a bit.

 

[Damage]

There are worse options than Speights, esp for $4M+. If Brown coaches him up defensively and sticks his ass to PF, where he should have been last year, it could be money well spent (helps Cavs and/or could be a trade chip)

 

[Douglar]

There are worse options than Speights, esp for $4M+. If Brown coaches him up defensively and sticks his ass to PF, where he should have been last year, it could be money well spent (helps Cavs and/or could be a trade chip)

That's like the story of Speights career. He was a decent pick after he fell that far. He's a decent player for that price. He could be an asset on the floor if only his attitude changed. He could become a trade chip, even though 5 months ago, Memphis had to include a first round pick to get rid of him.

 

[Damage]

That's like the story of Speights career. He was a decent pick after he fell that far. He's a decent player for that price. He could be an asset on the floor if only his attitude changed. He could become a trade chip, even though 5 months ago, Memphis had to include a first round pick to get rid of him.

Haha nah I hear you. Lot's of could's, if only's, and maybe's. At least the one constant is he's on the hook for one more year. Ain't no maybe's in that

EDIT: The first rounder really had nothing to do with getting rid of him per se and everything to do with their luxury tax situation.

 

[MYoung23]

That's like the story of Speights career. He was a decent pick after he fell that far. He's a decent player for that price. He could be an asset on the floor if only his attitude changed. He could become a trade chip, even though 5 months ago, Memphis had to include a first round pick to get rid of him.

The knock on Speights coming out was that his motor ran hot and cold. He doesn't bring it consistently. That's going to effect your defense and it's been his MO as a pro. Until that changes he's going to stay what he is

I've read other post in his thread talking about his position. Until he gets in better shape and resolves his other issue it doesn't matter if he's playing against backup Cs or PFs