Gay and Thabeet on the Block?

[shrink]

From espn's "25 Players who could be Traded"

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]

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.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I wouldn't do Flynn, but I'd do Utah and/or Charlotte pick maybe possibly, but that's such an admission of failure for Memphis, no chance

[Slum_Dillinger]

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.

I would absolutely not trade Flynn for Thabeet. despite his struggles Flynn is still having one of the better rookie seasons, Thabeet has provided nothing. Many here knew he was a bust (as far as taking him in the top 5 goes). Im with Devilz, if we can get him for a mid 1st you do it.

[Krapinsky]

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.

[lobishome]

Thabeet x Flynn? ... They could get Rubio last summer.

[shrink]

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.

Is Bruce Banner still a doctor?

[John Doe [MIN]]

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]

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.

I'm not going to trust per 36 minute stats when a player averages 10 minutes a game against only 2nd units.

[karch34]

I don't think Memphis would do it, but Hollins, Gomes, Sasha, and Bobcats pick for Thabeet and Gay.

Hollins gives them some height, Gomes is a solid defender and I think his game would actually mesh well with Conley, Mayo, Randolph, and Gasol. Once again, I don't think they would unless they really want Thabeet gone and figure a pick and some other pieces for Gay rather than lose him or overpay is the better option.

[Krapinsky]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The J Rocka]

No sure about Thabeet. I don't think he's been given a fair amount of time, especially for being a #2 pick, so he could blossom here maybe. I would question his conditioning, if we are playing uptempo does he really fit that? (prolly not) We need a more talented Ryan Hollins type C

[Biff Cooper]

People wouldn't trade Flynn for Thabeet. Interesting.

[Slum_Dillinger]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly, if he was as good as his Per 36 numbers suggest he would likely be getting more than 10MPG. The guy has poor BBIQ (personal opinion). He would absolutely be an upgrade, but he is not worth Flynn

[Woomanchu]

Very interesting development...

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... e_for_gay/

The Grizzlies reportedly have interest in acquiring guard Ronnie Brewer from the Jazz.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports wrote on his Twitter page that Memphis would like to use Brewer as insurance in the event Rudy Gay leaves.

"Grizzlies interest in Utah's Ronnie Brewer is future insurance for losing Rudy Gay thru deadline trade or free agency, league sources say," Wojnarowski wrote.

[allweneedisLOVE]

I sure hope Kahn likes Rudy Gay as much as I do. He is simply phenomenal.

[ritt0093]

MIN in:
Rudy Gay
Stephen Hunter


MIN out:
Ramon Sessions
Ryan Gomes
Nikola Pekovic
UTH 1st


UTH in:
Ramon Sessions
UTH 1st

UTH out:
Ronnie Brewer

MEM in:
Ronnie Brewer
Ryan Gomes
2nd round pick

MEM out:
Stephen Hunter
Rudy Gay

Why for MIN: They simply consolodate talent and get the right to match any offer Gay receives in FA. They also clear out longer term cap space

Why for UTH:
The get a nice back up PG behind WIlliams, and they regain their 1st round pick.

Why for MEM: The wiretap suggests they want Ronnie Brewer incase they lose Gay. Well here they trade Gay, and get back Ronnie Brewer, as well as Gomes who I think would thrive on a team like this with so many other ball dominant players. I debated between a 2nd round pick, the CHA 1st or Pekovic going to Memphis, but I can't decide which one works best for them.

I would love to remove the 2nd round pick, throw in the CHA 1st and Pekovic to Memphis and get Thabeet, but I'd be stunned if that was enough. Again the Thabeet speculation is based off the wiretap.

[Krapinsky]

Is Ronnie Brewer that much better than Corey Brewer? Is he even?

[Slum_Dillinger]

Giving the Grizzlies yet another Center? I would think a 3 way were Utah gets Pekovic makes a little more sense. But the idea is right.

[ritt0093]

The only way I'd really throw in Pekovic was if it was part of a deal where Thabeet was coming back.