Marreese Speights Trade: Sixers Get Two Picks In Three Team Deal

The Philadelphia 76ers have traded Marreese Speights to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three team deal Wednesday. The trade sends Speights from Philadelphia to Memphis, Xavier Henry from Memphis to the New Orleans Hornets and a second round pick from both the Grizzlies (in 2012) and Hornets (2013) to the Sixers.

Speights fills a hole for Memphis, who lost forward Darrell Arthur to injury before the year. For the Sixers, they get picks for a player that had fallen out of favor and hadn't played this season yet anyway.

Speights took to twitter to say goodbye to Sixers fans.

I love my time in Philly y'all are some good fans I had a great time here love yall. #showyaluv phillynation

— Marreese Speights(@Mospeights16) January 4, 2012

For reaction to the trade check out our Sixers blog, Liberty Ballers, for a New Orleans perspective check out At The Hive and to read what Grizzlies fans are saying head over to Straight Outta Vancouver.

Marreese Speights Trade: 76ers Rumored To Be Dealing Center To Grizzles

Philadelphia 76ers center Marreese Speights showed up to training camp out of shape and has had issues with head coach Doug Collins. However, that should no longer be an issue, as rumors have the center being traded in a three-team deal.

NBA Trade Rumors: Grizzlies Interested In Marreese Speights, According To Report

The Philadelphia 76ers have been shopping Marreese Speights in recent weeks and it seems as if they may have found an interested party in the Memphis Grizzlies.

According to Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal, the Grizzlies had been looking to shore up their depleted roster even prior to an MRI performed on Monday that revealed a torn right Achilles tendon for forward Darrell Arthur. The injury will put Arthur out for the entire shortened 2011-12 NBA season.

In response, the Grizzlies are getting ready to sign Charlotte Bobcats restricted free agent Dante Cunningham to an offer sheet and are speaking with the Sixers about obtaining Speights. The most likely trade scenario based on Speights' expected salary would have Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez coming over from Memphis.

Of course, if the Bobcats manage to match the offer sheet for Cunningham, the Grizzlies could be even more desperate to find help before the season gets underway.

For more 76ers coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Liberty Ballers.

Rumor: Sixers Shopping Marreese Speights

The big news out of Sixers camp yesterday was that small forward/power forward/spark-off-the-bench extraordinaire, Thaddeus Young, agreed to a five year extension worth 43 million dollars. Lost amongst all the Thad Young hoopla was the following tweet, tweeted by Sixers beat writer Kate Fagan:

The 76ers can't move Speights until @yungsmoove21 & Hawes situations are resolved. Once there's closure there, almost certain Speights gone.

For the most part, the 24 year-old Speights has been a disappointment during his time in Philadelphia. He had an excellent rookie campaign, as a big man who could come in and score off the bench, and also provide a necessary spark with his electrifying dunks and blocks. He continued to build on his rookie campaign in year two, and his future looked extremely bright. Then he suffered a minor knee injury. For whatever reason, he hasn't been the same since. The explosiveness isn't there, he settles for too many difficult jump shots, and doesn't play a lick of defense. His game as a whole, has been on a steady decline since returning from injury his sophomore year.

If retained, a decision would have to be made on Speights next off-season at the latest. The Sixers could either A) Extend him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent the following season B) Re-sign him via contract extension or matching another team's offer sheet, or C) Let him walk.

If any value can be had for Speights services, trading him is now is probably the best decision for the Sixers. Not just because of his contract situation, but both parties clearly need a fresh start. In theory, a young, relatively cheap, uberly-talented big man like Speights should warrant at least a few decent offers from various suitors. Unfortunately, that won't be the case because of minor character issues (like work ethic and basketball IQ) and the lack of improvement shown during his three-year career.

For more 76ers coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Liberty Ballers.