Heisley: No Current Plans to trade Rudy Gay

[SD2042]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... ppeningnow

The man writing checks to pay Rudy Gay’s NBA maximum salary said today that he has no plan to sign off on trading the Grizzlies’ promising yet often maligned small forward.

Reports persist that the Griz are shopping Gay to shed payroll and acquire a draft pick in the lottery. But Griz owner Michael Heisley says that just isn’t the case.

“We’re not looking to trade Rudy Gay,” Heisley said. “We’re not shopping him around. Period. Do we sit around and say ‘What if we traded Rudy, who could we get?’ No. Right now, Rudy is part of the future of this team.”

[dark-child]

YIKES!

Was my initial reaction, what a missed opportunity. I then looked for any potential Bill Clinton double talk and still there is nothing to hang my hat on, so now I am just to the point that I hope he is lying or the underlings have shielded him from the talk so he has plausible deniability.

Hey Mr. Heisley this is the wrong time to be loyal, "Big Guy"

[jman3134]

Wow, our ownership should not be directing this team into the ground. It's one thing to be loyal to a player, but it's entirely another when you say that you are not even fielding any offers for him. That's just plain ignorant, particularly when Rudy played as poorly as he did in this past series. He was the greatest reason why we lost. He took terrible shots at the wrong times, and it does not take a rocket scientist to see this.

If we can secure a top pick by throwing in other players, I would be more than happy to trade a combination of Conley and Mayo. But, if we have to deal Gay to get where we want to be, that is what we have to do.

As our team is currently structured, Rudy Gay does not have good chemistry with his teammates. He simply functions as a one on one player with a limited basketball IQ and average defensive principles. If the goal is to create a Bad Boy Pistons team, Gay does not necessarily fit this mold.

[dark-child]

I feel Mr. Heisley has to be convinced when the time comes but I hope the potential deal is too good to pass up and he will relent.

He is a very busy Billionaire so he is not involved in the day to day operations but this will I hope make teams sweeten the pot. Pau was not available at first and then he had to be convinced that it was best for the organization and I think between C. Wallace and L. Hollins they can do that.

My current wish list in order is Minnesota, Portland, and Sacramento. (Obviously no fear of trading him in conference)

[jefe]

Honestly, Heisley's squabble over Henry's rookie deal made me realize that he has absolutely no clue about how the CBA and salary cap function as it relates to building a team. This statement, coupled with his prior comment stating that he doesn't intend to pay the luxury tax, only reinforces my belief.

[dark-child]

After reading the entire article, I didn't come away convinced Rudy would not be moved only that there was no plan to do so. The organization said the same thing about OJ Mayo going into the trade deadline and we learned that a deal was on the table to send him to Boston for Ray Allen.

Heisley did place the caveat that the deal would have to be for a player better than Rudy which actually gives me comfort so all teams offering these spare parts and a pick can step aside.

I believe if presented with a deal similiar to what Denver & Utah received for their stars I think Rudy changes his address

[jman3134]

So, I am guessing that Rudy could be had for a top pick and a bench guy. I hope that basically rules out Toronto- they have nothing we want.

[dark-child]

I would not rule out Toronto so fast but they would have to include Demar Derozan in the already speculated package of #8, Ed Davis, filler (hopefully Linas Kleiza).

That is a pretty tough package for them to part with but it is a package that allows the Grizz to address current needs using the pieces you get for Rudy prior to the draft. This package would allow the organization to have a different approach to our current batch of restricted free agents.

Right now the Grizz can't really afford to offer a qualifying offer to OJ due to the dollars it would tie up until he eventually signs elsewhere.

[SD2042]

Eventhough Heisley is saying this now, keep in mind this offseason has barely started. We still have the draft, free agency, and trades to sort out. Every decision the Grizzlies make between now and October will be under the microscope.

[jman3134]

I would not rule out Toronto so fast but they would have to include Demar Derozan in the already speculated package of #8, Ed Davis, filler (hopefully Linas Kleiza).

That is a pretty tough package for them to part with but it is a package that allows the Grizz to address current needs using the pieces you get for Rudy prior to the draft. This package would allow the organization to have a different approach to our current batch of restricted free agents.

Right now the Grizz can't really afford to offer a qualifying offer to OJ due to the dollars it would tie up until he eventually signs elsewhere.

We don't need filler and I think that the #8 pick is one of the worst positions in the draft. If I were the Grizzlies, I would have no interest in the players projected in that spot. We could maybe go big with Henson to get a shot blocker, but I wonder if he'll even have the lower body strength to be effective on the block.

The only player that interests me on the Raps is Valanciunas and I doubt they part with him.

[KingTrue]

Yall giving up on my boy Rudy i say let keep him trade Zach or Marc it hard come by getting value star wings then it better have star wing and a big than a 2 star big you need balance dont get ahead are self watch Spurs series last year we cant win that way we got hot and was rolling unless we get a nice replace nothing in draft a sure thing i stay at 25 or trade back try get 2 rounder pick also with the first rounder draft Doron Lamb or John Jenkins or any 2 or 3 replace OJ Mayo let keep the ball rolling.No Need Trade Rudy!He might get better become next big star!

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

He might get better become next big star!

I'm by no means a Rudy hater, but if I hear the phrase "he might get better" one more time... Rudy is what he is. If the Grizz weren't afraid about paying a few luxury $'s, I'd be a lot more contented with the "core four". In regards of trading Zach or Marc before Rudy, please. Zach would be a lot harder to more and wouldn't bring back nearly as much. Marc's FAR more valuable to this team, especially since Zach's going nowhere.

[boogiesdad]

We need to stand our ground and get a full season of everyone healthy before pulling the trigger on a major deal.

But for God sakes, get one person in that war room that can actually draft a decent player........ no more Selby's, Carroll's, etc

[jefe]

We need to stand our ground and get a full season of everyone healthy before pulling the trigger on a major deal.

But for God sakes, get one person in that war room that can actually draft a decent player........ no more Selby's, Carroll's, etc

If we stand pat, and Heisley is sincere in avoiding luxury tax, we're setting ourselves up for missing the playoffs if only one guy (of our 9 under contract) gets injured, because we'll likely have to fill out the roster with marginally talented players (aka scrubs).

[dark-child]

Hopefully the new owner will have a say and want the guy moved since he isn't happy and would not oppose being moved. (according to Hoopsworld.com)

[darkangle901]

Keeping all the starters means that the bench will be depleted once again.

O.J. is gone. Speights is gone. Arenas is gone (good riddance though).

We're looking at a bench that will have to be carried by Pondexter, Arthur, and maybe a couple of bargain-basement veterans. Selby, Pargo, Haddaddi and others will likely have to be counted on as well.

I think that the Grizzlies have to jump at any deal that is basically Gay for a top-5 pick.

Alternatively, Gay for Iguodala makes sense.

[jman3134]

^ I'm in total agreement with you. http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-2-memphis ... g-rudy-gay

If Gay is unhappy in Memphis, why are we not looking to deal him for the #2 or #3?

If this does happen, we better not draft Harrison Barnes. I don't care how high he can jump without a ball in his hands or how fast he is end to end. The truth is that he can't get by 6'3 guys on Ohio, much less anyone at the NBA level. He's a poor man's OJ Mayo in this regard.

[dark-child]

The Organization may have him rated a little higher than say MKG because of his offensive prowess. Could you imagine a lineup with both Tony Allen and MKG in it? Oppossing teams will just clog the paint and let them shoot.

While Harrison Barnes is not fleet of foot he can shoot with range and apparently many scouts believe his skill set will translate better at the NBA level while everyone's favorite (MKG) does not have that high a ceiling and will pretty much be a role player and not a potential superstar or star.

[jman3134]

The Organization may have him rated a little higher than say MKG because of his offensive prowess. Could you imagine a lineup with both Tony Allen and MKG in it? Oppossing teams will just clog the paint and let them shoot.

While Harrison Barnes is not fleet of foot he can shoot with range and apparently many scouts believe his skill set will translate better at the NBA level while everyone's favorite (MKG) does not have that high a ceiling and will pretty much be a role player and not a potential superstar or star.

False on most accounts. A lineup with MKG and Tony Allen in it would be a complete defensive juggernaut. However, it is likely that TA would come off the bench and MKG would start at the 2 or vice versa. Further, you could create different lineups utilizing them at different points with some overlap, but not when defenses buckled down on us. What this means is that we might need a better shooting point guard or a forward who can stretch the defense. If we are building a team with defense in mind, that would be the best perimeter defense in the league and this is what we should strive for.

That's the issue. Harrison Barnes cannot shoot. He is inefficient from the field and scouts are relying predominantly on his high school playing career and athleticism tests to evaluate him. He has athleticism, but his handle is very weak and must be improved. Scouts are counting on this to happen at the next level. Barnes has worse shot selection than Rudy Gay ever had, this year's playoffs included.

He did not improve during his two years at North Carolina. He shot 48.7% eFG%, which was good for 30th best in the ACC. (amongst 50 who qualified) His Assist Rate declined from his first season to his second, meaning that he added little to nothing in this area, (60th in Assist Rate out of 73) yet his Turnover % remained roughly the same. (0.58 Assist to Turnover Ratio) This means that he rarely made poor decisions, but was a bad passer in general. He was an average rebounder in the ACC as well. On defense, he is average laterally and is rather subpar/average overall, allowing quicker guards to get by him at times.

So, what does he bring to the table? He is a decent mid range shooter off of one dribble (which is a highly inefficient shot), and is not a catch and shoot player, which is what we are looking for in a shooter. In his first year, he shot 39% off the dribble and 30% in catch and shoot situations. Using the eye test, I see that he shoots fairly well off of one and two dribbles. While I don't have the statistics to back this up, Rudy Gay does seem to have the same issues functioning as a catch and shoot player. Basically, much like Gay, Barnes has the physical tools to be a good defender, but is only average at this stage. He is not an efficient scorer, and that is the only aspect of his game worth noting imo.

Not only has MKG outplayed him multiple times head to head in both high school and in college, he is also a year or so younger, meaning that he has more time to develop as a shooter. Further, while he is not a great shooter, it must be noted that his freshman season was his first year playing as a wing. In high school, he was predominantly a power forward. Harrison Barnes, on the other hand, has pretty much been the same player since his high school days. MKG rarely shot the ball from the outside at St Patrick's and functioned as a back to the basket low post player and an energy rebounder. He played alongside Irving and Derrick Gordon (WKU standout), so he did not really have to handle the ball. So, I would say that his adjustment at UK has been eye opening to say the least. His handle is serviceable, and he is extremely quick out in transition. He is a far better defensive prospect than Harrison Barnes. He is a very good offensive rebounder (and rebounder in general), he locks down on defense, he is a willing passer (is developing in this area), has a tremendous work ethic, and is the youngest prospect in the entire draft at 18 years old. I'm pretty sure that he will be able to develop a jumper with the help of our shooting coaches given his work ethic and the fact that he has only played as a wing for one year now. It's a no brainer imo.

[dark-child]

I am not sure where you got your information but your critique is the polar opposite of what Draft Express has on Harrison. Nonetheless if you intend to interchange Allen and MKG that is a bigger reason to have caution on drafting him as to acquire him you are trading Rudy Gay so you still need to find a serviceable 3. He is also a bit undersized to play that position long term. MKG also is so limited offensively that unless he is in a fastbreak offense his best skills as you mentioned is backing down a smaller opponent, which isn't exactly go to since he is not as strong as his frame indicates (during testing only benched required weight 6 times, Harrison did it 15 times) Harrison also tested better athletically than MKG, and you have already conceeded he has a better jumpshot. MKG took the fewest shots for Kentucky which indicates he knew his limitations. I also don't have the faith in the Coaching staff to make something out of him that you have.

I don't oppose drafting MKG but everyone should realise what you are getting. His defensive skills againist boys may not exactly be the same againist men and if that is the case then what?

What will he hang his hat on? You can expect him to better than Tony Allen do you? So if he is not better than Tony he can't supplant Tony and you can't play them together unless D. Rose is their point guard and he shoots everything, what will be his value?

One last thing regarding the Grizzly Defensive prowess, I believe it is a bit of a mirage and does not mean that they necessarily stop people. They play the passing lanes and Tony is a lock down defender but there are times when they don't stop anyone and the opposing team is in the paint like it is a layup line. They play the pick and roll horribly and especially when Conley/ZBO are the defenders. IMO building a so called Defensive unit in the mold of the 90's Pistons has always been wishful thinking with the group of guys on the roster. They just don't show up consistently enough to make that plausible, it is also not a good sign when your bench guys are your best defenders with the exception of T.A.