Grizzlies Exploring Rudy Gay Trade Options?
In the last couple weeks the Memphis Grizzlies’ elite defense has taken a step back, their already unimpressive offense has done the same, and they haven’t looked like much of a threat. But you look at that front line as a playoff matchup and you always think they have a fighting chance, especially based on their last two playoff runs.
That may not be enough for the Grizzlies new ownership, which still runs a small market team over the luxury tax line. Over the last few weeks, Memphis has made it known in preliminary talks with other teams that Rudy Gay could be available via trade, according to sources around the league.
Memphis also has a brand-new ownership and a revamped front office; John Hollinger and Jason Levien are in, longtime personnel gurus the Barones are out, and Chris Wallace’s current level of power as holdover GM is unclear. They can also cite their exciting 2011 playoff run without Gay, though that run involved a superhuman performance from Zach Randolph, a very good matchup in San Antonio, and a much deeper wing core with actual shooters.
The Minnesota Timberwolves makes sense if Gay is willing to play more off the ball and get passes from point guard Ricky Rubio and forward Kevin Love. The Milwaukee Bucks are in the mix with their young talent, as could be the Boston Celtics, who could be looking to shake things up in order to get back into the heat of the playoff race come the trade deadline. The Houston Rockets are open to just about anything and the Toronto Raptors was interested in Gay in the past.
There are many options if the Grizzlies continue to struggle and see Gay as expendable and are pressured to get under the luxury tax by new ownership.
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