Stein: Raptors Seriously Pursuing Rudy Gay

[Check my Stats]

If this gets done for just Davis+Jose, then whatever, I'm on board.  I get what BFT is saying, but give me a team that is going to be in the mix for the playoffs for the next half decade or so over a maybe 5% chance of being a contender.  I also get that Gay is massively overpaid, but what good is cap for us anyways?  

 

Davis is my favourite Raptor, but the fact of the matter is he isn't ever going to be a ton more than he is now, and his value will never be higher.  Not to mention re-signing him in a couple years, where he could easily wind up being overpaid like Amir.

 

The deal is worth it to get rid of Jose.  If it falls through, then I am convinced he is a Raptor for life.  Can't wait to see Lowry actually get handed the keys, and not have to worry about looking over his shoulder all the time.

[DunkinDerozan]

Yeah I'll take it too. Calderon was probably leaving at the end of the year anyways so it's mostly Davis for Gay which is good minus his salary. I'm going to miss Davis considering he just started playing well, but he's still replaceable.

 

Ha, maybe we'll even get lucky and Barg will come back and not suck dick. Lol

[Check my Stats]

Sick of hearing about salary and flexibility.  

 

A) we don't foot the bill

B) no one wants to play here

C) if Rudy Gay hits free agent 10 minutes from now, he gets another max contract from someone else

[Built Ford Tough]

I highly disagree that Davis has peaked or has little groom for growth. I just don't see it based on how much his skill game improved from last year to this year. He developed a very good mid range jumper (he is shooting 45% from 10-15 feet this year compared to 27% last year). He has a nice spin and lefty hook in the lane. His passing and court vision has dramatically improved over last year.

 

Once he gains develops a consistent right hand, Davis is going to be a 16-18 ppg/10 rpg type of player. He was compared to Jermaine O'Neal in college and as far as I'm concerned, he was poised for a Jermaine O'Neal type of breakout. Of course, that is highly unprobable now that he is going to be stuck behind Randolph and Gasol in Memphis.

 

 

Whatever though. I sincerely hope Gay proves me wrong but forgive me for not being thrilled to be locked into a future that, best case scenario, sees the Raptors win 1 or 2 playoff games a year for the next 3 years.

[Lkr]

how is this a good deal for memphis?  am i missing something here?

[Built Ford Tough]

how is this a good deal for memphis?  am i missing something here?

 

Shed Gay's huge salary, pick up a very nice power forward prospect (either to use as trade bait or even to eventually take over for Randolph) and free up more touches for Gasol and Randolph inside. They no longer have to try and juggle their system to keep both Z-Bo/Gasol and Gay happy as now they have that clear identity.

 

I also think they are hoping that Prince can have a Battier like impact for them when they beat San Antonio and pushed OKC to 7 games 2 years ago. Remember, Gay was out with a shoulder injury for that entire playoff run and Prince and Battier are somewhat similar players. Prince isn't the shooter that Battier is, but he can knock them down if left open and he has that same defensive, veteran leadership that Hollins was so fond of with Battier.

[DunkinDerozan]

how is this a good deal for memphis?  am i missing something here?

They unload Gays massive contract and get a very good young player in return

[Lkr]

Shed Gay's huge salary, pick up a very nice power forward prospect (either to use as trade bait or even to eventually take over for Randolph) and free up more touches for Gasol and Randolph inside. They no longer have to try and juggle their system to keep both Z-Bo/Gasol and Gay happy as now they have that clear identity.

 

I also think they are hoping that Prince can have a Battier like impact for them when they beat San Antonio and pushed OKC to 7 games 2 years ago. Remember, Gay was out with a shoulder injury for that entire playoff run and Prince and Battier are somewhat similar players. Prince isn't the shooter that Battier is, but he can knock them down if left open and he has that same defensive, veteran leadership that Hollins was so fond of with Battier.

I guess part of my confusion is Memphis flipping Calderon for Prince.  Calderon/Gasol should be a great pairing, should it not?  Why trade that for a washed up Tayshaun Prince, unless they are hoping that a change of scenery can bring out more from him

[Built Ford Tough]

I guess part of my confusion is Memphis flipping Calderon for Prince.  Calderon/Gasol should be a great pairing, should it not?  Why trade that for a washed up Tayshaun Prince, unless they are hoping that a change of scenery can bring out more from him

 

Well, Conley plays 33 minutes a game and come playoff time/down the stretch, he'll probably up that to closer to 38. You also have Jerryd Bayless backing him up.

 

By trading Gay they'd be looking at starting Quincy Pondexter at the 3. You're right in saying that Prince isn't as good as he once was, but I'd still take him over Pondexter. Playing for a contender (or, at least a fringe contender) might also get a little more spring in his legs.

 

Basically, I think they looked at it from a standpoint where having Calderon backing up Conley would be a fantastic luxury to have, but not one they could afford with the hole at the 3 that trading Gay created.

[ChosenOne]

So why did Detroit take Calderon again?

[Real Deal]

So why did Detroit take Calderon again?

He's expiring after this season, while Prince is owned almost $22 million over the next three years (including this year)...and not as important, but he could help Brandon Knight, as a mentor.