On the same topic, Chris Mannix drops the following. I particularly love the quote on Austin Daye.
"These trades are absolutely terrible," says a Western Conference scout. "Gay is a young star. He has been used as Memphis' third option this season. They hardly ran any plays for him. Prince has been finished for two years. Speights complimented [Marc] Gasol and [Zach] Randolph, which Davis doesn't. And Daye can't play dead."
Across the NBA, league execs expressed surprise at the timing of the deals, too. Memphis could have waited to trade Gay and Speights until the offseason, unloading them before the punitive luxury tax penalties kicked in. The Cavaliers were always going to be there, always going to be willing to absorb some salary if Memphis shipped a first-round pick to sweeten the pot. Yet the Grizzlies were determined to hold a fire sale, hell bent to break up the roster right away, which is why Gay and Speights are gone, why $12 million has been shaved off this season's payroll and $37 million in future obligations is gone, too.
"They were telling everyone they wanted a young 3 on a rookie deal," said an Eastern Conference executive. "They didn't get that. I'm shocked they didn't demand Terrence Ross."