Any chance at Rudy Gay?

by mxpx5678 on Nov 3, 2009 10:31 AM PST Comment 42 comments

I wonder if the blazers would try and package some assets to get Rudy Gay? I think the potential problem is that he wants to be paid similar to Lamarcus and I don't see that happening, especially with Oden wanting a new deal soon.

I think he would be a great fit though.

I saw where someone mentioned maybe we could do a package to also get Conley but again I think the costs of some of these players would be more than we would want to incur.

What are your thoughts?

0 recs | Comment 42 comments | Add comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

To me he's a super overrated player

AWFUL defender, horrible passer, big ballhog, takes a lot of bad shots… to me, the exact sort of player we don’t want or need at the SF position.

He’s been on a bad team, and put up some scoring numbers. Not very good ones though, especially for having as many shots as he wants. His usage rate to achieve these mediocre numbers is the same as what superstars get, his assist percentage is worse than Z-Bo… just not very good.

Extremely athletic, and MAYBE he turns it around and becomes a two-way player. But I doubt it.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Nov 3, 2009 10:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I only

think he would be a good fit because I have only seen his games against the blazers, seems like he has great games against us.

I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden

by mxpx5678 on Nov 3, 2009 10:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He can score, for sure

The rest of his game is pretty undeveloped, and once we look deeper into his game most advanced stats really don’t like him.

It isn’t like he is worthless, but he’s the sort of player whose role is usually bigger than it deserves to be because he can score and is really athletic.

M—

by Mortimer on Nov 3, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus

I think he was silly not to take the 50 million for 5 years deal. Does he think his value will go UP sharing the ball with Iverson, Mayo, and Z-Bo?

10 million a year is a LOT to pay for 17 points a game from the SF spot, and not much else. At least LMA passes, tries on defense, and is a big.

Rudy Gay is seen as a high potential player still by many I bet, so I’d hope the Grizz sell high on him.

Morty

by Mortimer on Nov 3, 2009 10:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good points, I was also surprised he didnt take the 10 mil a year.

I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden

by mxpx5678 on Nov 3, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Who's we?

the exact sort of player we don’t want or need at the SF position.

reportedly KP likes him, a lot. Your vote (and mine) doesn’t count

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 3:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Since when?

Some non-confirmed rumor from years ago doesn’t mean much, does it?

M—

by Mortimer on Nov 3, 2009 4:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Since last May

You can review the archived interview with Jason Quick at 1080.com, if you want. Jason was specifically asked who are the “special fit players that KP would like to acquire”? and he listed Gay and Devin Harris. You can marginalize JQ’s opinion if you want, but he had no ulterior motive to advance Gay as a candidate unless he had inside info from Blazer’s HQ. You could even email Jason for confirmation, I suppose

I certainly don’t want Gay as a member of the Blazers, but I’m not going to dismiss the possibility that KP was/is/will be interested in him, either

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 4:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and again, as recently as July 7th, 2009

http://audio.1080thefan.com/search?q=rudy+gay

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 4:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He said "those type" of players

I remember that, it was Quick throwing out types… a young PG and a young SF.

I haven’t seen any reason, or indication (even during that draft) that we were interested in Rudy Gay. That he included Devin Harris as an example, well after he was traded and not available, is more evidence, I believe, of it just being player types.

M—

by Mortimer on Nov 3, 2009 5:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Quick also used Danny Granger as a player type we liked

Obviously, we had no chance at Granger. I don’t think the specific players named means much more than something very general.

M—

by Mortimer on Nov 3, 2009 5:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy Gay is not a $13M guy. Not even a $10M guy, which is what the Grizz is said to have offered him.

The guy on the Grizzlies that probably COULD be had is Mike Conley, since they’ve got a new starting Point Guard, whether they want one or not…

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Nov 3, 2009 10:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Martell or Nic

Both are better fits at the F position for the Blazers.

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 3, 2009 11:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

glad you brought this up...

..as I’ve been thinking about this lately. Rudy Gay is a nice player, and I thought it would be excellent to get Conley thrown in (maybe for Outlaw/Martell, Blake/Miller, and maybe Bayless). However, Conley doesn’t shoot the 3 like Blake can and Nate wants vets, especially at PG.

I’ve also thought it would be nice to get Gerald Wallace and Felton/Augustin. Augustin can shoot fairly well and is strong enough to be a good defender. Gerald Wallace grabbed 20 rebounds last night and can get to the rim.

I know most people are willing to trade Travis, but would you be willing to give up Batum, or Martell now that he’s showing he can play D? I guess we’d probably also have to package Blake and Bayless.

How about this for a lineup:

Miller / Augustin
Brandon / Rudy / Martell
G Wallace / Martell / Batum
Aldridge / Howard / Cunningham
Oden / Joel

(We’d give up Bayless, Outlaw, & Blake)

by Blaze14JR on Nov 3, 2009 12:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

i would love that

But why would they give up Crash for spare parts? He’s awesome.

by atomiccafe on Nov 3, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

here's why...

I’ve read that Charlotte was shopping Crash a year or 2 ago. They are obviously not going anywhere and would save money by shedding his contract and getting some young players to develop. We would probably have to give up either Martell or Batum to get him, though. In fact, there was a rumor that we almost got him last year, but the Blazers were unwilling to include Batum. Charlotte is off to a bad start though, so it’s something to watch for.

by Blaze14JR on Nov 3, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wallace

Is a beast. Pssh trade Troutlaw! Trade French Bread! Let’s get a run for the championship!

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 3, 2009 1:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i've heard this rumor too

It slays me every time I hear it. If it’s true that KP passed on Crash because he was unwilling to part with Batum, it means he’s more stubborn and more tied to “his guys” than I though possible. Crash Wallace is basically Batum’s best case. PER career average of 17! And as far as I can tell, he’s considered to be a top shelf wing defender.

by atomiccafe on Nov 3, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A GWallace deal was discussed last Feb

keep in mind, back then KP still had RLEC

The deal breaker from Charlotte’s point of view was Batum. KP wasn’t willing to part with Nic, so the GW deal fell through

Now #88 is hurt and he won’t have any (immediate) trade value, until he’s back. Blake and Bayless’ trade value is negligible. Andre Miller probably has more value than the two of them, combined—especially if he’s dealt to a contender who has a serious injury at starting PG

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can you show us why you think Rudy Gay ...

… would improve the Blazers? What makes him a great fit?

I don’t watch Memphis and haven’t followed Gay, so I really don’t know. What I do know is that Portland already has two guys in Webster and Batum that appear to be very talented players whom we have yet to see reach their peak. Does Rudy Gay bring something they don’t?

At the end of the day, I believe you hit on the most applicable response to your question – that Rudy Gay is only available if Portland is willing to pay him LaMarcus Aldridge money. I personally don’t think he’s worth what Memphis offered him, let alone more than that. And if he’s not worth that – i.e. Portland would be unwilling to pay him what he wants, then trading for him makes no sense. We’d be giving up assets for a short time rental.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Nov 3, 2009 12:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why go after

Gay when you have Outlaw?

by BBG on Nov 3, 2009 12:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

thats what I was thinking

There like the same player, but Outlaw has a cooler name.

Delonte West: Zombie Hunter

by In Walks Rudy on Nov 4, 2009 8:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy Gay brings nothing to the table that the Blazers need.

by jksnake99 on Nov 3, 2009 12:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

i hear he cooks

a mean bbq. I might not mind having that at my table.

"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Nov 3, 2009 1:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Only reason to get Gay

Is if he is unhappy there and they want to move him. I think there is a good chance that happens and the Blazers could possibly benefit from that.

My trade idea: Conley/Gay/Young (Haddadi, Caroll and Arthur would also work in this spot) for Blake/Outlaw/Fernandez

For Memphis:
- They get a cheaper version of Gay who would resign for less and be happy playing in Memphis for the rest of his career (Outlaw is popular there/has family in the area)
- Blake gives them a point guard who would be happy off the bench playing with either Iverson or Mayo and could stretch the defense just as Conley does now.
- If they see Mayo as pgotf, then Rudy would be a good compliment to him with his off the ball movement and 3 point shot.
- Two expiring contracts if they decide not to retain Blake/Trav and one incredibly cheap starting sg for the next few years (Heisley would appreciate that I’m sure)

For Portland:
- Conley brings the strengths of Blake (3 point shooting, good turnover-assist ratio) and Bayless (quickness/speed, driving ability) but is not fully realised his potential so could be cheap to extend this offseason.
- Gay is basically a slightly better version of Outlaw, but he has shown some signs of defensive improvement in the Team USA camp and also early this season. At worst, he plays like Outlaw for 30 mins a game and then leaves at the end of the season. Being traded here allows him to find a team without worrying about us matching if he only gets the $10 million he was offered by Memphis (as I don’t think we would go that high). In this scenario, he is also cheaper than Outlaw so Mr. Allen could save half a mil of so.
- Young could be a good piece to have but is more of a throw in to make the numbers work so any of their young forward/centres who are paid around a million would work
- This is not a reason to do the trade but I think both Oden and Conley would play better than they have to date if they were on the same team. Looking past off-court stuff, having an on-court relationship that stretches back to high school and was very successful is something that I think could translate well for both of them.

Silly reason to do it: It would mean we have 10 former lottery picks on our roster……10!!!!

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 3, 2009 1:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Dang right

Let’s reunite Conley and Oden!

Haha PDXBuckeye would have some fun with that…

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 3, 2009 1:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Blake gives them a point guard who would be happy off the bench

I can’t imagine Steve feeling any emotion that resembles “happiness” if he was included in any trade to Memphis. Besides, I don’t think KP has any plans to trade him, and I know Nate and Brandon wouldn’t be “happy” if Blake was moved, again

And I don’t think the Griz would target Blake, anyway. Steve would fit best as a backup PG on a contender (San Antonio, etc) not on a team full of loose cannons like the Griz.

I could see a deal where Outlaw/Rudy go to Memphis and Gay/Haddai come to Portland. I suspect most Blazer fans would hate it. But KP is supposedly a huge Rudy Gay fan…so even though I have to hold my nose, all I can say is “don’t be surprised!” if you see RG in a Blazer’s uniform at some point in his career

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 4:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

obviously blake wouldn't be happy

but he was reasonably effective when he played half a season for a team full of gunners three years ago in Denver: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/blakest01.html. So there is precedent for him working in that situation.

by atomiccafe on Nov 3, 2009 4:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There is a precedent for KP trading Blake to Milwaukee, as well

but that doesn’t mean he’ll trade Steve, again. KP recently said that dealing Blake was one of his biggest mistakes as Portland’s GM. Nate and the coaches love Steve’s game, and Roy lobbied to have him stay in the starting lineup.

I’d expect Andre Miller to be dealt away, before Blake

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope not...

I’d expect Andre Miller to be dealt away, before Blake

Unless it was for CP, otherwise there goes the chance for a championship in the next two years…

by Visionary2 on Nov 3, 2009 4:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the "Miller quick turnaround" scenario

a contending team loses their starting PG to injury, for months

after Dec 15, Miller is still not “meshing” with Roy

KP gets a “screaming deal” offer for Andre from the desperate GM with the dinged up PG

It’s not likely, but it’s more likely than KP dealing Blake away again, based on his past comments and Nate/Roy’s manlove for Steve

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 5:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

let me clarify

I wasn’t saying we’d want to trade him away. I think there’s a very small chance we could get good value for Steve Blake from the Grizzlies or any other team in the league. However, it’s conceivable that the Grizzlies would see Blake as a decent facilitator who could fit with all their gunners. This is purely speculation from their end, because you said the Grizzlies wouldn’t want Blake.

by atomiccafe on Nov 3, 2009 6:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps my addition of Blake was more for my own purposes

rather than it being particularly likely.

I think Miller/Rudy for Conley/Gay would work after Dec. 15 but I don’t see that one as likely either.

I guess you could swap Blake for Bayless but giving up Rudy, Bayless and Travis is alot to give up in terms of potential and value.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 3, 2009 6:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

a lot of Bedgers are looking at Blake's expiring contract

and putting him into trade proposals. I’m just reminding everyone how highly KP, Nate and Brandon regard Steve. It doesn’t mean that he’ll never be dealt (or that he’ll definitely be extended, next summer) but I think the odds of this are extemely low, unless KP wants a particular player very badly, and Steve is “required” to complete the deal

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 6:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy, Bayless and Travis is alot to give up in terms of potential and value.

To get a lot, you’ve gotta be willing to give up a lot. If you look at Memphis’ roster they don’t have a huge need for Bayless. Mayo is better at what Jerryd does than Jerryd is, or likely ever will be. Rudy would be “blocked” by Mayo, as well, unless the Griz’ plan is for Mayo to play the PG, eventually. If there’s anyone on Portland’s roster that Memphis might covet, it would be Przy. They need a decent center more than they need guards and wings. If you put Joel/Rudy/Travis together you’d have shot at getting Gay/Conley/Marc Gasol. The odds of that deal happening are small, but the salaries/talent and “team needs” make it a closer match.

(FWIW, I think KP is just as unlikely to deal Przy as he is to move Blake)

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 3, 2009 7:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not really

They have Marc Gasol who has been playing very well so far and also drafted a center no.2 in the draft. They have very little need for Przybilla. You aren’t getting Marc Gasol plus Gay and Conley just because you put Joel in there. No chance.

From what I’ve heard people do see Mayo as their pg of the future (as I said in my initial proposal) and he does aswell. Rudy would be a good 2 guard to play next to him, Bayless might work too if he develops. They would definately want at least one guard back if they are giving up Conley and my guess is Rudy would be the key to a deal happening.

The only reason I think this is more likely than any other hypothetical deal is because they have pieces that we apparently want and we have the ability to make those trades because of our cheap talent and expiring contracts. Thats all

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 3, 2009 10:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

drafted a center no.2 in the draft.

Gasol is a PF and Thabeet is a long-term project. The Griz could use Joel a lot more than either Blake or Bayless

Regardless, I don’t see KP dealing Przy. Even though Nate seems to be playing small ball and leaving #10 on the bench a lot, lately

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 4, 2009 9:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Marc Gasol is a centre and is playing better than Joel so far this year. They have very little need for Joel.

Even if you think Gasol if a PF, they have Zach and are not going to demote Gasol for no good reason. There are some logical flaws in your argument IMO…guards>centres if they are trading Conley away.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 4, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

guards>centres if they are trading Conley away.

You’re assuming the Blazers have guards that the Griz want, besides Roy and Rudy. Maybe Memphis sees some value in Blake, Bayless or even Miller, but I’m sceptical.

They have Mayo and AI, who’s complaining about his role. Keep in mind, I don’t even think they’re interested in dealing Conley right now, but if they were, it would likely be because they want to relocate Mayo to PG and start AI. So, if they made this deal with Portland, they could use Rudy as a #3 “swing guard” and Marcus Williams as their backup PG. Not all trades need to be a direct position-for-position “swap” for both teams, sometimes the motivation for a GM is to “thin out” a particular position to give more PT for a particular player, or players.

Again, I’m not saying that Memphis is feeling this way re: Conley, but neither do I see them having much interest in Blake or Bayless, so adding Steve/Jerryd to any Griz deal is a different kind of “flawed logic”

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 4, 2009 2:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough.

I don’t have the answers – just don’t agree that they have any need for Przy.

If we were to trade with Memphis I would assume Trav would be the guaranteed piece – there have been enough rumours over the last couple years that there must be some truth to them.

Other than that, who knows. Rudy would be a nice piece for any team because he is a starting level sg who is paid peanuts. With Rudy+Trav I don’t know if the other pieces matter that much – they would constitute most of the value in a trade.

I just want to see Conley here and I, unlike you, absolutely think they would trade him for the right deal.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 4, 2009 3:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With Rudy+Trav I don’t know if the other pieces matter that much – they would constitute most of the value in a trade.

I agree, I suggested a few months ago that if KP wanted to put these two players together in a deal, he could “write his own ticket” for just about any young player making 5-6 mil/year. The problem is that Conley/Gay earn 7.6 mil combined, so KP would have to “add” another Blazer making 1-2 mil to balance the salaries out. You might say “put Bayless in that deal, no regrets” and maybe the Griz would go for it. But I think they’d rather just keep MCJ and take Travis and Rudy for Gay and add someone like Haddai to match the salaries…I wouldn’t do this, and I hope KP won’t consider it, either

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 4, 2009 5:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs