NBA Trade Rumors: Why Rudy Gay Won't Be Dealt by Memphis Grizzlies

Rudy Gay and Monta Ellis have a few things in common.  

The Memphis Grizzlies small forward, Gay, and the Golden State shooting guard, Ellis, are frequently mentioned in trade rumors.  Both are terrific pure shooters and proficient scorers.  One Ellis rumor—from the Contra Costa Times—would have had Ellis going to the Grizzlies to partner with Gay.

Above all, the one thing that many overlook is that neither Gay nor Ellis is leaving his respective team. Warriors general manager Larry Riley dictated the Ellis matter to Sports Illustrated, although a Warriors writer would go into more detail than this article will about Ellis.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley put his foot down soon after rumors began at the end of the Grizzlies playoff run.

Before anyone exercises their imagination about the possibility of the Grizzlies trading Gay, one should first consider Heisley's angst-ridden call to Geoff Calkins of The Commercial Appeal.

Heisley Wants Gay to Be Part of the Future of the Grizzlies

Typically, a billionaire owner with a large holding company like Heisley does with Heico doesn't waste time making late-night phone calls to sportswriters, but Heisley felt it was important that his feelings on Gay were in print.  Heisley told Calkins:

"

Would you please make it clear that we're not trading Rudy Gay?...And quite frankly, it ticks me off [that commentators are spreading trade rumors about Gay]. I think it's cruel to the guy. He died during this period. That's how much he wanted to play. And to now have to hear that we're trading him? There's nothing more untrue than that.

"

That's an emotional statement from an owner who's known to wear his emotions on his sleeve. Heisley went off on reporters after trading Pau Gasol in 2008 to the Los Angeles Lakers, saying, "What do they want me to spend, $100 million?"

Just as he felt with the Gasol trade, Heisley made it clear that he didn't want anyone telling him how to operate his team. He recognized how valuable Gay was, telling Calkins later in that conversation, "No disrespect to Oklahoma City, but if we had Gay, we would have won the bleepity-bleep series."

Heisley didn't hold back.

One should note that Heisley acknowledged what missing time meant to Gay.  He said that Gay "died" during the playoffs.  Not many owners are that much in tune with what their players are feeling.

At any rate, Heisley would go on to say, "My intention is to bring the team back."

Heisley gave Chris Wallace the green light to make the necessary moves. Wallace re-signed Zach Randolph, exercised their option on Sam Young, and extended a qualifying offer to Marc Gasol. Keeping Gay would seem to follow.

Since Heisley and the Grizzlies organization aren't floating trial balloons on trades involving Gay, the rumors must be coming from outside of Memphis.

The Grizzlies Don't Seem To Be Entertaining Trade Ideas for Gay

CBSSports.com made an interesting point about trade rumors involving Gay. The piece mentioned that "multiple reports have surfaced linking trade talks to Gay, but almost all come from media on the other side, not Memphis."

That the rumors originated from outside of Memphis is very important to note.  Draft Express mentioned that the Cleveland Cavaliers offered the Grizzlies the No. 4 pick in this year's draft for Gay, but the Grizzlies declined. The Toronto Sun posed the possibility of the Toronto Raptors trading for Gay.

Another hot name in the trade rumor mill, Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers, was linked to Gay by the Philly Daily News.

Despite numerous possibilities floated by sources across the country, no concrete trade rumors could be found coming from news media outlets in Memphis discussing trade possibilities put forth by the Grizzlies involving Gay.

Conclusion: Gay Isn't on the Trading Block

No sensible train of logic would have Gay on the trading block.

First, trading Gay soon after giving him a huge deal would make no sense.  Hardly anyone trades a star player early in a contract. Besides, that would undermine any recognition Heisley may have that the deal is an investment in Gay's potential.

Having bought up under-performing and bankrupt companies to turn them around, Heisley would know the fundamentals of investing. One must see an investment through, rather than sell it on the first sign that its stock might fall.

Second, trading Gay would reveal that Heisley, and perhaps Wallace as well, knows something that no one else knows about Gay's health. The best guess is that Heisley isn't hiding any persisting ailments affecting Gay so that the Grizzlies can unload Gay on an unsuspecting trade partner.

Depending on how the free agency period turns out, Heisley may have the team back as he hopes. How a healthy Rudy Gay will fit into that picture will be interesting to see.  One can be sure that Gay will be part of that picture.