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Rudy Gay Trade Analysis – Jan. 31
Toronto Raptors Get: SF Rudy Gay, C Hamed Haddadi
Memphis Grizzlies Get: SF Tayshaun Prince, SF Austin Daye, PF Ed Davis, future second-round pick
Detroit Pistons Get: PG Jose Calderon
Why this makes sense for Toronto:
Since no big-name free agent will ever head north of the border via free agency, the Raptors need to be aggressive in the trade market. Rudy Gay gives them a star scorer to pair along Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan in the backcourt, and it only cost the team free agent-to-be Calderon and the developing Davis. While Davis has been coming on as of late (14 ppg and 8 rpg in January,) Toronto needs some star power, which Gay kind of brings along with the remaining two years and $37 million on his contract (that’s a lot of coin.)
With Gay, DeRozan, and rookie Terrence Ross (who was reportedly untouchable in this trade) on the wing, you have to wonder if the Raptors try to move DeRozan this offseason in hopes of landing an athletic big (which they ultimately traded away in Davis.)
Why this makes sense for Memphis:
The Grizzlies continue to trim payroll in hopes of getting under the luxury tax by saving about seven million dollars this season and a heck of a lot more than that for the next two years. Prince is a serviceable veteran small forward who doesn’t score it like Gay, but brings experience, leadership, and intangibles to Memphis.
Davis will be a terrific asset off the bench to help replace what the team traded away last week in Marreese Speights. Daye is a salary throw-in and there is no way the Grizzlies extend the qualifying offer his way, meaning he will become a free agent this summer.
Memphis becomes a less dangerous offensive team after this deal, meaning guys like Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and Mike Conley will have to pick up the scoring load a bit. Prince and Davis do provide some length and defensive ability that Gay lacked though, so expect some more grind it out affairs from the Grizzlies.
Why this makes sense for Detroit:
Calderon is a talented point guard, and the Pistons could use an upgrade in their guard depth but let’s be honest – this was a salary dump. Trading Prince will save Detroit about $15 million over the next two years. Taken with addding Calderon to Corey Maggette, Jason Maxiell, Richard Hamilton (yes, he still counts for $5.5 against the team’s cap space,) and Will Bynum; will work out to more than $36 million. That much coming off the Pistons’ cap gives them some nice flexibility this offseason. (Assuming Joe Dumars doesn’t blow that money on two average players like Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva as he did a few summers ago.)
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