Rudy Gay working harder than ever, Wolves target?

[Busch Legion]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... -the-bell/

Rudy Gay might not be a member of the proposed, star-studded free-agent summit of 2010.

But he plans to be a heavyweight next season.

The Grizzlies' soon-to-be restricted free agent forward has engaged in a training regime earmarked for boxers since the regular season ended. Gay, who is about to enter his fifth NBA season, has taken his offseason workout to another level as he prepares for a USA Basketball training camp next month and a possible maximum contract offer when free agency begins July 1.

"I'm not fighting anyone," Gay said this weekend when reached by phone. "I'm going through the training. There's no more in-shape athlete than a boxer."

Gay said he picked up the idea of training like a boxer from other NBA players such as Cuttino Mobley, Al Harrington, David West and Manu Ginobili.

The likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire will soak up most of the big money. On the second tier, Gay will be highly coveted.

One team that will make a strong run at Gay is the Minnesota Timberwolves. Team owner Glen Taylor and president of basketball operations David Kahn have already targeted Gay as an attainable player to uplift the struggling franchise.

Griz owner Michael Heisley continues to insist that Gay will be a Grizzly next season. Memphis (namely Heisley) has the right to match any offer sheet that is presented to Gay from another team.

[IAmTheTruth]

I say go for it. Then we can avoid taking Wes Johnson at 4 and go for BPA with Cousins.

[southern wolf]

Hopefully Love will set him up with some nice outlet passes, and stay close to him at the USA bball camp. Couldn't hurt our chances.

[hotshotschamp]

I refuse to get excited on this one... Their owner has made it known time and time again they will match offers on him.

If we are dumb enough to offer max, maybe they wont, but he's nowhere near a max level player.

I don't see how it gets done.

[southern wolf]

I refuse to get excited on this one... Their owner has made it known time and time again they will match offers on him.

I'm not getting ahead of myself either, but Heisley's lied before. He promised to keep the Grizzlies in Vancouver when he bought them, then a year later they were relocated. I wouldn't trust his word.

[IAmTheTruth]

Why do you think they traded for Ronnie Brewer at the deadline? Insurance in case they choose not to match Gay.

[cpfsf]

Why do you think they traded for Ronnie Brewer at the deadline? Insurance in case they choose not to match Gay.

the same could be said that it's insurance if they choose to S&T

[Vega06]

Has anyone ever watched the guy play defense? Overpaying isn't worth it.

[jpatrick]

I don't think this could effect our draft plans since we can't talk to Gay prior to July 1st. Even then Memphis may match or Gay may prefer going to a bigger market. Alot of teams will have cap room this offseason and not all will get Lebron, Bosh, etc. I see NJ making a strong push for Gay if they draft Favors.

Even if we could get Gay, does anyone really see him as a max type player? Would we be crippling ourselves for the future?

[The J Rocka]

Nets, Knicks, Clippers, or Wizards will end up overpaying.

[moss_is_1]

I'd like him, but not if we overpay. I'd rather have Paul George later on then pay Gay max money.

[Dewey]

I could see a Wally deal (like $10/yr), but thats the range Memphis likely would match. If the wolves know they can't move up for Turner and don't care much for Johnson at #4, then we may be more aggressive going after him July 1.

Gays defense is not great ... he's merely average like most others at that position. This past season he has improved his all-around game (contact year) and has proven to be a quality NBA starter.

[It_Was_Typed]

Rudy was offered 5 years-$50 million last season but turned that down. He wanted something in the $60 million range.

He had a very good season individually and the Grizzlies got 40 wins. I'd imagine he wants something in the $70 million range now, especially with so many teams having cap space.

[moss_is_1]

Most I would offer him is 5 years, 60 million. That's 12 million a year for him, might be overpaying some but we'd have to in order to bring him here.I'd like a 4 year year deal worth maybe 48-50 million, just so we aren't locked into an extra year.

[C.lupus]

Normally I would say good luck to Gay at getting $70 million but some team will probably offer that (and regret it later). Hopefully that team is not Minnesota.

I'd like him here a $10 million per and I'd probably tolerate him here at $12 million per but $14 million is just crazy talk.

[revprodeji]

Kahn values athletic ability and potential more than skills and production. Gay is a good example of this.

We will likely overpay for him. I am bracing for this. If we are productive with trade assets and the draft, and the final piece is to overpay Gay then i can deal with it. if all we do is overpay Gay and flunk the rest then I am going to mod the OKC site.

[Krapinsky]

Gay is probably worth the $13 million or so we would have to pay him. He would be an instant fan favorite and his athletic ability would put some new butts in the seats. He should develop into a Danny Granger level scorer (23-25 ppg) sooner, rather than later. 20 ppg while sharing the ball with Mayo and Randolph is impressive.

[revprodeji]

Granger is a smarter player and a much, much better defender.

Gay is more willing to take it inside, but both love the jumper.
(75% of Grangers points are jumpers, only 23 close and 1 dunk. Gay 68-20-10)

Gay only carries a +1.9 PER which is concerning.

Granger on the other hand, has a +6.2

Offensively Gay is gifted, but can he defend? Can he be the #1 or #2 guy we need and would be paying him for?

[Krapinsky]

Granger is a smarter player and a much, much better defender.

Gay is more willing to take it inside, but both love the jumper.
(75% of Grangers points are jumpers, only 23 close and 1 dunk. Gay 68-20-10)

Gay only carries a +1.9 PER which is concerning.

Granger on the other hand, has a +6.2

Offensively Gay is gifted, but can he defend? Can he be the #1 or #2 guy we need and would be paying him for?

I was only referring to offensive output. Strictly PPG, that is all.

However, if you want to fairly compare them, compare them at the same age.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... 01&y2=2010

Granger was a 22 year old rookie. Gay is 23 NOW.

[revprodeji]

True,

My issue is not skill, Gay has a ton, it is mental. Does Gay want to be a quality defender? Does he want to be a team leader?