RealGM

Gay
Rudy Gay, F, Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are playing their best basketball since Jerry West was the GM, so why would they mess with a good thing?

There are two reasons, according to a pair of general managers who have spoken with the Grizzlies in recent days. One, Memphis is concerned that this summer a team flush with cap space will offer Gay (who will be a restricted free agent this summer) a huge contract that Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley will be unwilling to match. Two, the team, currently at 22-19, would love to make the playoffs and believes it's a veteran defensive presence away from getting there.

While a number of teams would be interested in Gay, a rising talent at age 23, keep your eye on the Pistons. They have been hunting for the right trade in which to move Tayshaun Prince. If Prince is healthy (he has been battling back and knee injuries all season), he might fit the bill for Memphis -- and the Pistons could throw in a lottery pick from this year's draft to sweeten the deal.

Thabeet
Hasheem Thabeet, C, Grizzlies
Gay isn't the only player the Grizzlies would move for the right price. Thabeet is off to a slow start in his rookie season in Memphis and doesn't fit into the team's current plans. Still, he was the No. 2 pick in the draft, and he has value in the league.

If a team is willing to give up a veteran defensive presence, I think he could be had.

moss_is_1 wrote:well we don't have a defensive presence...unless you count Brian Cardinal or Blount.haha I would really like to get Gay on our team. I wanted him in the draft so bad I remember breaking my remote. A package of Prince and their pick? I doubt that happens. We should have something with Sessions, Gomes, Brewer, our picks that could be better than that I'd think.

Thabeet I wouldn't mind but he pry wouldn't come too cheap. I'd do Flynn for Thabeet right now probably, even though Thabeet looks like crap and Flynn looks okay.

Krapinsky wrote:Thabeet won't have any impact in the league until his rookie deal is up. Until then we would have to pay him $5 million a year. He's deadweight. The idea of trading Flynn for him just makes me angry.

John Doe [MN] wrote:I love how people just spit out the prewritten narrative of how Thabeet is such a bust without actually ever seeing him play or looking at his stats. He's been fine, the reason he doesn't fit into the team's current plans is because Marc Gasol takes most of his minutes, and it's not worth sitting Gasol to try to develop Thabeet further.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thabeha01.html

Educate yourselves, people. Thabeet can't get playing time, but he's solid when he does. Per-36 minutes, he averages 9.5/10.3/4.0 with .633 FG% and surprisingly solid Reb%. Fouls are a problem, but duh, what do you expect at this point? I would absolutely trade Jonny for him. Jonny's getting more playing time, but on per minute basis, Thabeet is outperforming him. My money's on the unnaturally fluid 7'3" guy to improve more from here than the under 6 footer.

Krapinsky wrote:Oh snap everyone... looks at Hamed Haddadi's per 36 minute numbers last year -- 14/14/5. WHOOAAAA!!!!!!!!!

This guy is going to be the next Dwight Howard!!!!!!!!!!! Let's trade Rubio for him quick before Memphis knows what hit'em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!