Report: Memphis Grizzlies Trading for Marreese Speights


Memphis is sending Xavier Henry to New Orleans, along with two second-round picks to Philly, in exchange for big man Marreese Speights. Reports ESPN: “The Grizzlies were in search of added depth in the frontcourt even before star forward Zach Randolph suffered a bruised knee when teammate O.J. Mayo fell onto him in Sunday’s 40-point loss in Chicago. That’s because Memphis lost versatile forward Darrell Arthur, its most valued reserve, to a season-ending Achilles injury last month. Although Randolph’s injury was diagnosed only as a bone bruise, Memphis wants to move quickly in the wake of its 2-3 start. The Grizzlies have never faced higher expectations after upsetting top-seeded San Antonio in the first round of last season’s playoffs before losing to Oklahoma City in the second round in seven games. Randolph averaged 20.1 points and 12.2 rebounds last season and was averaging 19 points and nine rebounds before he was injured. Speights is in his fourth season with the 76ers, who selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2007 draft but has never averaged more than 16.4 minutes per game in the NBA. Henry played in 38 games as a rookie last season in Memphis and has missed the start of this season with torn ligaments in his right ankle.”