If we trade for Gay we'll most likely have to seriously overpay to keep him this summer. And we know one thing: Morey does not overpay (at least he hasn't so far). So I think it's very, VERY unlikely that we trade for him at the deadline.
There was a rumor (who knows if it was true, but...) that Morey tried to get Rudy included in an attempt for the #2 pick in the summer. Obviously "veteran defensive presence" and Shane Battier go hand-in-hand, but to match salaries and whatnot, I guess you'd have to throw in Budinger. Would that be able to get us Rudy G and Thabeet? Give'em Memphis collegian Dorsey, swap some picks around, something? Sigh. Loooong time til the trade deadline. EDIT: Just saw that the GM of the Grizz is doing the "nope, won't trade Rudy" thing. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jan/23/no-headline---2010-01-22-231828268455/ "Untrue. There's no trade possibility for Rudy (Gay). Rudy is a Memphis Grizzly, and for as long as he wants to be, he will be." Hollins, responding to a question about a recent ESPN.com report that suggested the Griz are willing to trade Gay.
This is the same report Chad Fraud stuck out there which has absolutely no truth involved in it. Chad Fraud says he has two sources from other GMs. Logically, the grizzlies brass aren't going to float a rumor like this out there so really it is just the other teams in the league trying to distract the up and coming grizzlies with a news story that goes back to the pau trade. GMs around the league despite the grizzlies for making that trade so they figure that a leopard can't change its stripes. No news, move on.
Agreed. While I love Battier and think he had always been the better fit for the Rockets from 2006-2009, Rudy Gay would be a better fit for THIS Rockets team. One interesting note here is that Shane Battier is still absolutely LOVED in the City of Memphis. The guy gets huge applause whenever the Rockets play in Memphis. I think he even still serves on the board of a children's hospital in Memphis (or something like that). So, from a PR standpoint, if the Grizzlies were to trade away one of their stars for a "less spectacular" veteran, Battier would definitely be on the short list of players the Griz could acquire and not have a total riot on their hands from the few Grizzlies fans who still actually come to games. Agreed that this trade would make some sense, although the Rockets would need to also throw in their first rounder this year (lottery protected) and $3M in cash for Michael Heisley to consider it. The Griz get their veteran defensive presence and a beloved former teammate along with a local college legend. The Rockets get no less than a half-season rental of a young offensive star and a 7-foot scrub. I would be interested in seeing how Morey would handle Gay's restricted free agency, since you just know that SOME team with cap room that doesn't get Lebron, Wade, Bosh or Amare will throw way too much money Gay's way. Perhaps this would be nothing more than a short-term rental and a way to clear Battier's 2010-11 salary off the books.
So let me get this straight: the grizzlies give Battier to the rockets so that the rockets can make the playoffs and 4 years latter when the rockets don't need battier anymore the rockets get gay once gay is on the precipice of super stardom. Damn, who wouldn't want that deal, sign me up for that one. Who can beat the best of both worlds
Serious question (which may be hard for you): Do you think the Grizzlies will re-sign (future "superstar") Rudy Gay? For how much?
Yes, they will sign him. Though there is wide speculation that Rudy Gay isn't worth a max deal among many grizzlies fans to the point that they are afraid he'll mess up our cap that we'll have a hard time signing guys like OJ Mayo and Gasol. As far as Memphis fans are concerned, here is the pecking order: Marc Gasol (is essential and HAS to be retained) OJ Mayo (the same, part of the core) Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay. The current debate among grizzlies fans is which player of those four should be sacrificed. Some believe Randolph because he is older and others believe Gay because they don't believe Gay plays hard enough on defense to warranty a huge contract. The other thing is that there is also a sense that none of our players are supposedly max deal players, yet every one of them have the potential to be paid a max deal. The question floating around is what if somebody offers Marc Gasol a max deal, do we let him walk, etc. I am currently of the position that Rudy Gay IS worth a max deal. But with that being said, I think a lot will depend on the fans in Memphis. Here's what I think will happen: Heisley will keep Gay for the season. The grizzlies are playing well and are in a prime position to make the playoffs. But in doing so, he is also gauging fan support. If the memphis fans catch fire and start selling out, then Rudy Gay will be retained, no doubt. If the fans don't support the team more, it will be harder for Heisley to justify keeping gay if he doesn't get a return on his investment. The dilemma Heisley's gonna have is if the grizzlies make the playoffs and say get to round 2 or beyond, does he resign Gay and give the fans one more shot. Honestly, if Heisley lets Gay walk or sign and trade, he is essentially giving up on the city of Memphis.
Solid post. Agreed the Grizzlies must keep Gasol and Mayo. That is 100% fact IMO. I think they should consider trading Z-Bo over the summer because if he has an entire season of stellar play, he will be worth something because of that along with his expiring contract. Considering the way teams are storing cap space for the summer, there might be a taker who wouldn't need to give the same amount of contract back to the Grizz. Since they are again floating around the salary floor, the Grizz might need to sign Gay to stay above it. (Just thinking out loud). At this point, none of the players have shown me max contract potential. Mayo could grow into it but the Grizzlies have 2 more years to address that. If Gay wants crazy money, the Grizz should let another team sign him and decide if they want to match. But history has shown RFAs are in weak negotiating positions. You'll have to wait and see how much Gay can get another team to offer him. He just doesn't have the combination of talent, fire in his belly and "it" factor to deserve a max contract. Whoever signs him will take the risk of overpaying and having an untradeable player. Paying Gasol and Mayo in the future will weigh on the team's decision. I think the Grizz should trade Gay if they get something decent in return because the risk of letting him walk for nothing is unacceptable. I don't have any names in mind, but it's time for them to get serious at PG and admit Mike Conley will never be the guy. I don't believe he will ever be a starting caliber NBA PG.
Gay and Hunter for Ariza and Cook works. It lowers our cap number by over $2 million. The Griz get his replacement, who plays defense, at a good contract and Cook's expiring contract to offset Hunter's. We'd have to sign Gay. Hunter could get a few minutes a game at the 5. I don't know why Memphis would actually do that, but they've surprised me before.
Gay isn't worth a max contract. If he gets it, whoever ends up with him is going to be disappointed. He's clearly a very talented player, it's just he's also one of those players that you have to question whether or not he could be the first or second best player on a winning team. His style of play is not conducive as such -- too in love with his jumper, doesn't like to nor is he a very good passer, unmotivated defender, not much of a leader, too much ISO-ing. Basically, your classic overrated empty-stats type player. Sure, the Grizzlies are winning this year and Gay has played well -- no doubt. But the addition of Z-Bo and Lionel Hollins is what's seemingly brought this team to the next level. Not Gay.
Gay is 23 years old. The combination of youth and ability and somebody's going to give him a max deal. The other thing, in case you are unaware, Gay is coming off his rookie deal and a max contract for him can be no more than 13.5 million a season. THAT is a huge difference. Even if somebody signs him to the max, it's isn't like they are going to be breaking the bank or seriously damage their cap space. 13.5 million for a 23 year old improving talent will be seductive no doubt about that.
Gay is not asking for the MAX, all he asked for was 5/$65 million. Memphis offered 5/$50 million. Neither side felt a need to concede. Isn't Gay playing on a winning team now? If you want to argue that the team sucked last year starting players with a total of 3 years of NBA experience at the start of the season and a bench that consisted of three main contributers (Darko, Buckner, Q. Ross) that are not even on the the NBA radar at the moment, sure blame that on Rudy.
Houston Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: +23.8 ppg, +6.2 rpg, and -0.6 apg. Incoming Players Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 C from Connecticut 2.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.1 apg in 11.1 minutes O.J. Mayo 6-4 SG from USC 18.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg in 38.3 minutes Rudy Gay 6-8 SF from Connecticut 20.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.0 apg in 39.1 minutes Outgoing Players Andre Iguodala 6-6 SF from Arizona 17.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.9 apg in 39.8 minutes Memphis Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -23.8 ppg, -6.2 rpg, and +0.6 apg. Incoming Players Andre Iguodala 6-6 SF from Arizona 17.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.9 apg in 39.8 minutes Outgoing Players Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 C from Connecticut 2.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.1 apg in 11.1 minutes O.J. Mayo 6-4 SG from USC 18.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg in 38.3 minutes Rudy Gay 6-8 SF from Connecticut 20.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.0 apg in 39.1 minutes If the trade with Philadelphia is done look for this to happen.
First off, rudy is restricted just like smith was last yr or so. Memphis has first right to match. I don't think any team will offer more than deng/smith money to rudy. They can just let the market set and either match if its good or sign and trade which he would probably go for and get some value. Baller4life, u my man and all, but why do u keep talking about under 50m when rules don't allow that number to exist? The rockets should've kept that pick or traded it for a better player than what they got. He would've fir then just as he fits now.
