Amid circulating rumors that Memphis is considering trading their talented but overpaid swingman, we analyzed the best potential landing spots for Rudy Gay. Although Gay is a talented scorer, he is owed about $40 million over the next two seasons and keeping him would potentially incur a hefty luxury tax on the small market Grizzlies.
1. Golden State Warriors – The Warriors (23-13) are young, talented, and built to win down the road. They have the cap room to accommodate Gay and could use his experience to mentor rookie swingmen Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson. Although Thompson is having a breakout year, Barnes has been criticized for tentativeness and lack of explosiveness on an every-night basis. Not to say Gay is an every-night, grind-it-out player, but he could give Barnes valuable leadership to follow. Gay could be the kind of well-rounded scorer that could compliment Stephen Curry and bring the Warriors to the next level in the West.
2. Boston Celtics – The Celtics have long been rumored main contenders in the Gay sweepstakes, and for good reason. Their aging roster is devoid of a prime shooter/scorer like Gay, and he is the perfect piece to jumpstart an offense that places too much of the burden on Rajon Rondo. Rondo has voiced his support of acquiring Gay; the two are close friends, and could be a solid core for the Celtics to build around for the future and to move on from the Pierce/Garnett/Allen era. The only problem is that Boston may lack the trade assets necessary to land Gay. Memphis, despite its frugality, won’t let go of Gay for nothing. Memphis would most likely be interested in some combination of Paul Pierce or Avery Bradley, but Pierce is too old and expensive to justify letting go of Rudy Gay.
3. Los Angeles Clippers - This could be the ideal situation for both teams: the Grizzlies receive a much needed point guard (Eric Bledsoe), they lower their payroll, and receive a decent replacement for Gay (Caron Butler). The Clippers get Rudy Gay to play small forward, playing the role of contributing scorer/shooter on a serious contender. This move would certainly make the Clippers dangerous and one of the favorites to come out of the West. Durant/Westbrook vs. CP3/Griffin/Gay West Finals, anyone?