Davis could start for many teams in the league, but Memphis is not one of these teams, as the Grizzlies already have All-Star players in Randolph and Gasol composing their frontcourt. Secondly, the key player that Memphis received, Ed Davis, plays power forward and center. Not exactly a great haul while only cutting $6 million off their current payroll and $15 million in total (not accounting for luxury-tax savings). In return, the Grizzlies got power forward Jon Leuer and signed free agent small forward Chris Johnson to meet the 12-man roster minimum. To do that, they gave up one of their best reserves (power forward Marreese Speights), an excellent long-range shooter on a team starving for floor-spacers (shooting guard Wayne Ellington), a young but talented prospect (point guard Josh Selby) and a future first-round draft pick. First, Memphis made a trade last week with the Cleveland Cavaliers in order to get under the luxury tax so they wouldn't have to make a trade involving a player from their starting lineup (center Marc Gasol, power forward Zach Randolph, Gay, shooting guard Tony Allen or point guard Mike Conley).
