RealGM

Memphis trades / Boston receives:
Rudy Gay
Mike Conley
OJ Mayo

Boston trades / Memphis receives:
Paul Pierce
Rajon Rondo
Michael Pietrus

Why this trade works for Memphis:
The Grizzlies had a nice run in the playoffs last year and have the big men to contend with the right backcourt. Rondo and Pierce have championship experience and play outstanding defense. Their new lineup:

PG...Rondo...Pargo...Selby
SG...Allen...Pietrus
SF...Pierce...Cunningham
PF...Randolph...Speights
C...Gasol...Haddadi

Why this trade works for Boston:
The Celtics need to rebuild. Giving up a Boston legend in Pierce would be tough to swallow for some, but the return on this trade can give the team some assets to stay relevant beyond this year. Most important, this trade brings in youth, which the team really needs. With the acquisition of Mayo, the team could then send Allen and O'Neal to a contender for youth and / or picks. Their new lineup:

PG...Conley...Bradley...Dooling
SG...Allen...Mayo
SF...Gay...Daniels
PF...Garnett...Bass
C...O'Neal...Wilcox

What do you think?

I'm a Celtics fan, Pierce is my idol, and I'd do this in a heartbeat. Dunno if Memphis ever does it tho. What is obvious is that Memphis, imo becomes a contender, while Boston as you said remain relevant, but not contender...

Why would Memphis make a trade that makes them worse, and kills their future?

freshie2 wrote:Why would Memphis make a trade that makes them worse, and kills their future?

It does not make them worse, nor kills their future. Pierce expires way before Gay, in fact the last year of his contract is partially guaranteed, while Rondo is better than Conelly. I think Pierce fits Memphis' offense better than Gay does when Z-bo comes back. So it makes some sense, I just don't think Memphis throws Mayo under the bus.. Maybe Gay-Conelly/filler for Rondo/PP

edit: starting five for Memphis:

Rondo
Mayo
Pierce
Z-bo
Gasol

That's sick, absolutely sick line-up.

Great trade for Boston...

freshie2 wrote:Why would Memphis make a trade that makes them worse, and kills their future?

Paul Pierce is a Hall of Fame player who makes other players on the floor better. The same cannot be said for Rudy Gay. Yes, PP is getting up there in age, but he is still playing at a very high level and would not have to carry the offense in Memphis playing with ZBo and Gasol. After Paul, Rondo is the next best player in this trade. So, I do not see how this trade makes Memphis worse.

And..as Boston34Bg said, Pierce's contract ends a year earlier than Gay's, so it's not like he has a salary cap killing contract that will haunt the team for years to come.

I don't think Memphis would do this, they might be okay with:
Conley and Mayo
for
Rondo and filler.

Wallace/GM has Boston ties but he doesn't owe them anything so including a declining Pierce for a maturing Rudy Gay is not going to happen.

Therefore Boston would not do this as they could probably get a little more elsewhere