Heisley: No Current Plans to trade Rudy Gay

[SD2042]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... ppeningnow

The man writing checks to pay Rudy Gay’s NBA maximum salary said today that he has no plan to sign off on trading the Grizzlies’ promising yet often maligned small forward.

Reports persist that the Griz are shopping Gay to shed payroll and acquire a draft pick in the lottery. But Griz owner Michael Heisley says that just isn’t the case.

“We’re not looking to trade Rudy Gay,” Heisley said. “We’re not shopping him around. Period. Do we sit around and say ‘What if we traded Rudy, who could we get?’ No. Right now, Rudy is part of the future of this team.”

[dark-child]

YIKES!

Was my initial reaction, what a missed opportunity. I then looked for any potential Bill Clinton double talk and still there is nothing to hang my hat on, so now I am just to the point that I hope he is lying or the underlings have shielded him from the talk so he has plausible deniability.

Hey Mr. Heisley this is the wrong time to be loyal, "Big Guy"

[jman3134]

Wow, our ownership should not be directing this team into the ground. It's one thing to be loyal to a player, but it's entirely another when you say that you are not even fielding any offers for him. That's just plain ignorant, particularly when Rudy played as poorly as he did in this past series. He was the greatest reason why we lost. He took terrible shots at the wrong times, and it does not take a rocket scientist to see this.

If we can secure a top pick by throwing in other players, I would be more than happy to trade a combination of Conley and Mayo. But, if we have to deal Gay to get where we want to be, that is what we have to do.

As our team is currently structured, Rudy Gay does not have good chemistry with his teammates. He simply functions as a one on one player with a limited basketball IQ and average defensive principles. If the goal is to create a Bad Boy Pistons team, Gay does not necessarily fit this mold.

[dark-child]

I feel Mr. Heisley has to be convinced when the time comes but I hope the potential deal is too good to pass up and he will relent.

He is a very busy Billionaire so he is not involved in the day to day operations but this will I hope make teams sweeten the pot. Pau was not available at first and then he had to be convinced that it was best for the organization and I think between C. Wallace and L. Hollins they can do that.

My current wish list in order is Minnesota, Portland, and Sacramento. (Obviously no fear of trading him in conference)

[jefe]

Honestly, Heisley's squabble over Henry's rookie deal made me realize that he has absolutely no clue about how the CBA and salary cap function as it relates to building a team. This statement, coupled with his prior comment stating that he doesn't intend to pay the luxury tax, only reinforces my belief.

[dark-child]

After reading the entire article, I didn't come away convinced Rudy would not be moved only that there was no plan to do so. The organization said the same thing about OJ Mayo going into the trade deadline and we learned that a deal was on the table to send him to Boston for Ray Allen.

Heisley did place the caveat that the deal would have to be for a player better than Rudy which actually gives me comfort so all teams offering these spare parts and a pick can step aside.

I believe if presented with a deal similiar to what Denver & Utah received for their stars I think Rudy changes his address

[jman3134]

So, I am guessing that Rudy could be had for a top pick and a bench guy. I hope that basically rules out Toronto- they have nothing we want.

[dark-child]

I would not rule out Toronto so fast but they would have to include Demar Derozan in the already speculated package of #8, Ed Davis, filler (hopefully Linas Kleiza).

That is a pretty tough package for them to part with but it is a package that allows the Grizz to address current needs using the pieces you get for Rudy prior to the draft. This package would allow the organization to have a different approach to our current batch of restricted free agents.

Right now the Grizz can't really afford to offer a qualifying offer to OJ due to the dollars it would tie up until he eventually signs elsewhere.

[SD2042]

Eventhough Heisley is saying this now, keep in mind this offseason has barely started. We still have the draft, free agency, and trades to sort out. Every decision the Grizzlies make between now and October will be under the microscope.

[jman3134]

I would not rule out Toronto so fast but they would have to include Demar Derozan in the already speculated package of #8, Ed Davis, filler (hopefully Linas Kleiza).

That is a pretty tough package for them to part with but it is a package that allows the Grizz to address current needs using the pieces you get for Rudy prior to the draft. This package would allow the organization to have a different approach to our current batch of restricted free agents.

Right now the Grizz can't really afford to offer a qualifying offer to OJ due to the dollars it would tie up until he eventually signs elsewhere.

We don't need filler and I think that the #8 pick is one of the worst positions in the draft. If I were the Grizzlies, I would have no interest in the players projected in that spot. We could maybe go big with Henson to get a shot blocker, but I wonder if he'll even have the lower body strength to be effective on the block.

The only player that interests me on the Raps is Valanciunas and I doubt they part with him.

[KingTrue]

Yall giving up on my boy Rudy i say let keep him trade Zach or Marc it hard come by getting value star wings then it better have star wing and a big than a 2 star big you need balance dont get ahead are self watch Spurs series last year we cant win that way we got hot and was rolling unless we get a nice replace nothing in draft a sure thing i stay at 25 or trade back try get 2 rounder pick also with the first rounder draft Doron Lamb or John Jenkins or any 2 or 3 replace OJ Mayo let keep the ball rolling.No Need Trade Rudy!He might get better become next big star!

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

He might get better become next big star!

I'm by no means a Rudy hater, but if I hear the phrase "he might get better" one more time... Rudy is what he is. If the Grizz weren't afraid about paying a few luxury $'s, I'd be a lot more contented with the "core four". In regards of trading Zach or Marc before Rudy, please. Zach would be a lot harder to more and wouldn't bring back nearly as much. Marc's FAR more valuable to this team, especially since Zach's going nowhere.

[boogiesdad]

We need to stand our ground and get a full season of everyone healthy before pulling the trigger on a major deal.

But for God sakes, get one person in that war room that can actually draft a decent player........ no more Selby's, Carroll's, etc

[jefe]

We need to stand our ground and get a full season of everyone healthy before pulling the trigger on a major deal.

But for God sakes, get one person in that war room that can actually draft a decent player........ no more Selby's, Carroll's, etc

If we stand pat, and Heisley is sincere in avoiding luxury tax, we're setting ourselves up for missing the playoffs if only one guy (of our 9 under contract) gets injured, because we'll likely have to fill out the roster with marginally talented players (aka scrubs).

[dark-child]

Hopefully the new owner will have a say and want the guy moved since he isn't happy and would not oppose being moved. (according to Hoopsworld.com)