NBA Trade Scenarios: What Could the Grizzlies Get by Trading Rudy Gay?
Despite there being speculation of Rudy Gay trade discussions, they've been rather subtle in comparison to those of Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
However, Gay is still a solid player that deserves a chance to showcase his abilities.
Now, whether Memphis is truly interested in a trading him is another issue, but based on his recent injuries, he may be dealt.
That said, the Grizzlies won't get as much for him either since he is coming off an injury, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out.
In any event, here is a trade scenario between Memphis and every team with Rudy Gay.
Atlanta Hawks
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A good trade between both teams here would be Rudy Gay for Josh Smith straight up.
Afterward, Gay could take over as Atlanta's primary SF, while Al Horford remains at PF and Zaza Pachulia continues to split time at center with Jason Collins.
In may be a bit trickier in Memphis as Shane Battier would be the main SF, but in re-signing Zach Randolph, the Grizzlies could move him to center.
Thus leaving Marc Gasol as the backup, but it would make them bigger and more intimidating.
Boston Celtics
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Boston needs a center if the aging veterans want another shot at a run to the NBA Finals.
And, Memphis could use a solid SG.
Well, if the Celtics re-sign Ray Allen that won't happen.
But Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay for Boston's first-round pick and Delonte West might work.
Charlotte Bobcats
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Charlotte doesn't have a lights out SG that could make Memphis any better.
However, Rudy Gay for Stephen Jackson and one of Charlotte's first-round picks would work.
Memphis gets depth at SF along with Shane Battier and a chance to draft a SG.
As for Charlotte, Gay would be a great asset to go along with Kwame Brown and Boris Diaw.
Chicago Bulls
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The Bulls could definitely use some depth at SF, because other than Luol Deng, don't count on Rasual Butler clocking too many minutes next season.
That said, Kyle Korver and one of Chicago's first-round picks (28th or 30th) for Rudy Gay should be considered in the Windy City.
Memphis gets their solid SG, while Chicago gains some needed depth at SF.
Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Cavaliers definitely need a complete SF.
The question is whether they can convince Memphis to trade them Rudy Gay for the No. 4 overall pick.
In an article by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley stated:
""He is definitely a major part of this organization's future. We have no plans whatsoever to trade him."
"
Well, now does that put a rest to the trade rumors of Rudy Gay?
Guess we'll have to wait until this summer gets rolling.
Dallas Mavericks
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The Mavericks could use a complete SF, because Shawn Marion can't play forever and Rudy Gay is much better than Caron Butler or Peja Stojakovic.
As for the trade, Memphis could get a combination of Dallas' three SFs so they'll have depth but also the Mavs' first-round pick to sweeten the deal.
However, this may not go down if Dallas wins it all, because as the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Denver Nuggets
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Since Rudy Gay was out from mid-February through the end of the season, his trade values does drop down a bit.
Well, Rudy Gay for Danillo Gallinari and J.R. Smith would be good since Memphis remains with depth and gets their SG.
Denver loses a bit in depth but remains where it was (if not better) talent-wise.
Detroit Pistons
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Much like the Denver Nuggets, this trade would be eerily similar.
Memphis receives Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon, while Detroit receives Rudy Gay.
The Grizzlies keep their depth at SF, while getting a solid SG.
The Pistons bring in a young SF that could help in the rebuilding process, which pretty much is what the Motor City has been doing.
Golden State Warriors
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If Golden State is willing to trade away SG Monta Ellis then throw in their first-round pick, Rudy Gay could potentially move out west.
Otherwise there's not much else they could offer to the Grizzlies.
Then again, the Warriors are also rebuilding, so chances are they stay away from the trade game all together.
Houston Rockets
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Since the Houston Rockets are headed in a new direction, making a trade for Rudy Gay may not be the top priority.
However, if it were to go down, the Rockets' first round pick and either Chase Budinger and/or Terrence Williams would be solid.
Once again, the Grizzlies sustain depth while receiving a draft pick to hopefully add that young SG.
As for Rudy Gay, he then becomes the first piece of the puzzle to new life in Houston.
Indiana Pacers
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The Pacers have two decent SFs in Mike Dunleavy and Danny Granger.
And, since they work well together and give Indiana diversity to give multiple looks, they need both guys.
So, if there were to be discussions between these teams for Rudy Gay, the Pacers would definitely have to give up their first-round pick.
After that, it's up in the air, because Indiana does have a few SGs to choose from, but none would greatly enhance the Memphis offense.
Los Angeles Clippers
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At this point, anything that Donald Sterling does to the Clippers is no longer a surprise.
Therefore, trading their first-round pick and/or Eric Gordon for Rudy Gay is still possible.
Then again, it wouldn't that bad of an idea either as the Clippers could use a strong SF.
Los Angeles Lakers
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Since the Lakers don't have a first-round pick to offer, it makes dealing with Memphis for Rudy Gay that much more difficult.
Well, with a new head coach coming in (whenever that is), the next question is whether Ron Artest remains the answer for them at SF.
He wouldn't be a bad addition to the Grizzlies, but throwing in Shannon Brown could make it more appealing.
Miami Heat
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This is one team that definitely does not need the services of Rudy Gay.
However, if this were to happen, the Heat could use some depth behind Chris Bosh.
Juwan Howard will be 39 next season, but can they count on Udonis Haslem every day?
Nonetheless, Bosh straight up for Rudy Gay could work.
And sadly, at it's core, pro sports is a business.
Milwaukee Bucks
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The Bucks do have a top ten pick, so trading that along with Carlos Delfino and Rudy Gay could end up in Milwaukee.
John Salmons is a decent SG, but adding him in with Delfino and a top-10 pick might be too much for a guy that hasn't played since mid-February (at least in the eyes of the Milwaukee front office).
In any event, Gay would be a great addition to go along with Richard Luc Mbah a Moute and Andrew Bogut in the frontcourt.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Well, if Minnesota wants to go smaller and faster, proposing a trade for Rudy Gay will definitely them in every facet of the game.
Currently, the 6'10", 235-pound Michael Beasley is playing SF, while Kevin Love remains a true PF.
The question is if center Darko Milicic remains the long-term solution for the Timberwolves.
If not, try to make a deal for Gay.
The No. 2 overall pick for him straight up, then the Grizzlies will be more shallow at SF but can now get a solid draft pick.
Minnesota would then be pretty scary with Rudy Gay at SF, Michael Beasley at PF and K-Love taking over the center spot.
New Jersey Nets
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The biggest issue here is that the Nets don't have a first-round pick to sweeten the deal.
That said, putting up SF Travis Outlaw, SG Anthony Morrow and maybe their first-round pick in 2012 would work.
It will be tough though, because a few other teams have a lot more to offer for such a great player.
New Orleans Hornets
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This is one interesting situation as both teams have a SG that puts in around 25 minutes a game, while scoring just into double-digits.
Well, New Orleans could definitely use some offense, and Rudy Gay would be a solid addition.
But, like a few other teams, New Orleans doesn't have that coveted first-round pick to offer.
So, going with Trevor Ariza, Jarrett Jack (who'd be a solid PG back-up to Mike Conley) and then their first-round pick of 2012 to persuade Michael Heisley.
New York Knicks
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The only way this would be a fit in New York is if Amare Stoudemire was willing to play center.
There's no way Carmelo would move to PF, so Rudy Gay would have to adapt.
Now, in regards to the trade itself, New York's first-round pick and Landry Fields to Memphis in exchange for Rudy Gay to the Knicks.
It'd be a tough pill to swallow in NYC as Landry Fields is a solid SG, and they need depth there, but the addition of Gay would take a lot of pressure off the backcourt.
As for Memphis, they get a SG with a lot of potential and one who comes from a great offensive mind in Mike D'Antoni.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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OKC runs deep at SG, but the issue is whether any are of interest to Memphis.
That said, where would Rudy Gay fit in with the Thunder?
They're set at SF (Kevin Durant), PF (Serge Ibaka) and center (Kendrick Perkins).
Unless he were to move into the backcourt, thus making OKC huge, but then again, very intimidating and effective.
The trade however, would have to be OKC's first-round pick and then a two- or three-man combo between James Harden, Thabo Sefolosha, Daequan Cook, Nate Robinson, Nick Collison and Eric Maynor.
Orlando Magic
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Let's face it, Dwight Howard needs all the help he can get.
He's been the main man in Orlando since his rookie season, and no other true studs have been around him for longevity.
Well, not having a first-round pick hurts, so proposing a two-man combo between Jason Richardson, J.J. Redick, Gilbert Arenas, Chris Duhon, Hedo Turkoglu and Quentin Richardson would suffice along with their 2012 first-round pick.
D12 gets some solid help in the frontcourt, while Memphis has some players to juggle with for leverage come time for the next draft.
Philadelphia 76ers
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Pairing Andre Iguodala with their first-round pick to get Rudy Gay should be enough.
Memphis remains solid at SF with Iguodala and Battier, while using the draft pick to snag that SG they need.
Philly then has the potential to propel themselves past Boston and NYC in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division.
Phoenix Suns
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For the Grizzlies to deal with the Suns, it comes down to which direction they want to go in.
While stuck at the fork in the road, you can accept both Vince Carter and Grant Hill for Rudy Gay, because with age comes wisdom.
Or, take their first-round pick with either Carter or Hill and use one of them to be more like a coach than a player to such as young team.
Would love to be in the conference room of this trade discussion.
Portland Trail Blazers
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Here's where both teams could go injury for injury.
Brandon Roy straight up for Rudy Gay.
Memphis gets their SG, while Portland becomes more versatile.
LaMarcus Aldridge switches between PF and center with the aging Marcus Camby, while either Gerald Wallace or Gay move to PF.
Then the Blazers use the draft pick to replace Roy at SG to maintain the depth with Rudy Fernandez and Wesley Matthews.
Sacramento Kings
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Making this trade happen would be tough because other than their first-round pick, the Kings don't have much else to offer the Grizzlies.
Then again, their first-round pick is No. 7 overall.
Therefore, straight up for that could happen between both franchises.
Thus, the glass becomes more half-full in Sacramento pairing Rudy Gay with Samuel Dalembert.
San Antonio Spurs
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Chances are the Spurs won't be willing to trade Manu Ginobili to, well, anyone.
However, Richard Jefferson is only going to be 31 next season, so although there's still some youth left in the tank, it's not going to last much longer.
With that said, throwing in Jefferson and their 29th overall first-round pick should be rather enticing.
San Antonio gets some much needed youth in the starting lineup, while Memphis gets a savvy veteran to go along with a first-rounder.
Toronto Raptors
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Other than DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors don't have much personnel to put up for the Grizzlies.
However, they do have the No. 5 overall pick, so going straight up with that for Rudy Gay is possible.
Rudy Gay would definitely help add some sick talent to Toronto, and Memphis would greatly improve from this seasons' No. 8 seed in 2011-12.
Would be an interesting way to start off the summer if this went down.
Utah Jazz
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If both franchises get into trade talks with one another, the question will be what the Jazz want to give up.
They have the No. 3 overall pick as well as players such as Andrei Kirilenko and Gordon Heyward.
However, with AK-47 already at SF, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors at PF, where would Rudy Gay fit in?
No sense in sitting him on the bench (when healthy), because it would just be a waste of talent.
So, if discussions to begin, don't be surprised if Kirilenko goes straight up for Gay.
But, the best case-scenario for Memphis would be if Utah also threw in their No. 12 overall pick.
Washington Wizards
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However, Washington does own the No. 6 overall pick, so that spot for Rudy Gay mano-y-mano is the only path in this one.
Watching Gay and Wall together would be a good show though, and Memphis could use that top-10 pick to their liking.
