![rudy gay jersey number in memphis rudy gay jersey number in memphis](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6XUAAOSwD39agevK/s-l640.jpg)
The final reason that this trade was a mistake is because there were other great options for the Grizzlies to consider if they had their hearts set on making a move (which they didn't have to make).īefore the Grizzlies made either trade, I was researching a trade they could've made with the Orlando Magic that would have 1) cut enough salary to get them under the luxury-tax line, 2) shed them of Rudy Gay's contract and 3) acquired players that would substantially increased their ability to contend this season and in the future. The last player Memphis received, Prince, is the one who will likely see the floor the most and will definitely provide a positive impact on the stout Grizzlies defense, but he's not the offensive talent that Gay is and since he's almost 33, he has little to no upside. Daye is a former lottery pick and talented shooter, but he also may be the only NBA player skinny enough to be a Victoria's Secret model and has not made any impact in the league to date. We already discussed how Davis may be talented, but he'll struggle to get the minutes he needs to validate his value. To do that, they needed to add players who could improve an anemic offense (as mentioned in the previous paragraph).Īnd as much respect as I have for Prince and Davis (Daye was a throw-in to make the cap figures match for the trade), they are not the players that Memphis needs. However, they also hoped to acquire players to help them compete for a championship this season and in the upcoming seasons.
![rudy gay jersey number in memphis rudy gay jersey number in memphis](https://s.yimg.com/aah/autographsforsale/pau-gasol-autographed-8x10-memphis-grizzlies-photo-66.jpg)
Third, the main reason Memphis traded Gay was to cut future payroll to increase roster flexibility around Randolph, Gasol and Conley. So Memphis would be trading away a high-caliber starter for a player who would likely be coming off the bench and doesn't address any of their key needs (outside shooting and offensive playmakers). 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).
Rudy gay jersey number in memphis free#
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).