Gay Staying In Memphis?

southern wolf · Post #1 » by **southern wolf** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:49 pm

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

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley told a group of season ticket holders that the team plans to match any offer Rudy Gay receives this summer.

No Gay Love Sessions next season?

shrink · Post #2 » by **shrink** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:47 pm

Match any offer for Gay? I'll believe it when I see it.

Heisley has been trying to sell the Grizzlies for years, but can't find a buyer for a team that loses so much money. Memphis is one third the size of the Twin Cities market. MEM is #28 in attendance (MIN is #25), and even if Heisley could get fans to come to games, their market means they get some of the lowest average ticket prices in the NBA.

This is still the guy that traded Pau Gasol for cap space and youth, primarily because he couldn't afford to run his team even when its net payroll was below the lux. This season the front office has been chaotic. He offered an expiring and cap space for the expensive Zach Randolph, traded a future 1st for RFA Ronnie Brewer, and signed Iverson for a day or two, until they realized they never discussed his role on the team.

Keep in mind Heisley is saying exactly what's in his best interests. He wants fans to retain their season tickets, and he wants to scare off other teams from making a smaller offer to Gay for fear that MEM will match. However, with Heisley's chaotic history, I don't think even Heisley can tell you that the Grizz will match any offer for Gay.

southern wolf · Post #3 » by **southern wolf** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:00 am

There's going to be a lot of angry season ticket holders if he does let Gay go, although it won't be the first time a GM has lied to fans. But you're right, he's got to do what's in his best interests. Gay is an exciting, athletic young talent, and the leader of their team. It would be a bad move at this point for Heisley to say anything other than "we'll match."

shrink · Post #4 » by **shrink** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:10 am

According to sports bankers, the teams thought to be for sale include the Atlanta Hawks, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons in the N.B.A

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... z0iVATbLGq

Heisley may want to up ticket sales to get the highest price for his team before he bails.

jade_hippo · Post #5 » by **jade_hippo** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:22 am

i call BS on this. Saying you can't have something makes you want it more, especially when its a 6'9" G/F who can score at will and has some potential to play defense AND a name that makes school girls and adult men giggle uncontrolably. Someone is either going to sign him for a reasonable contract and Memphis matches or he get near max and becomes the next Maggette.

cpfsf · Post #6 » by **cpfsf** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:25 am

I took a post I just wrote and decided it would be more appropriate here instead.

I see some consequences in making a splash in 2010. Kahn declared that he believes Rubio will be here in 2011. I'm skeptical because he would be obligated to the rookie scale. Yet if he waited another year he wouldn't be bound to it. If Rubio were to sit and wait until 2012, we could be in a situation like the Spurs are in who don't have the cap space to sign Splitter. Unfortunately that could mean having to accept whatever we are offered. IF Rubio wanted to play somewhere else, he would be smart and keep his mouth shut and hope Kahn ties the money up.

Dewey · Post #7 » by **Dewey** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:03 pm

He's basically saying, "I'll match any offer ... that accommodates a sign and trade".