Hoopsworld: Wolves have eye on Rudy Gay

by Tommy Dee on December 1st, 2009 at 1:47 pm


Via Hoopsworld:

“…An NBA source close to the situation informed your friendly neighborhood columnist this week that the Minnesota Timberwolves have eyes for Memphis Grizzlies swingman Rudy Gay.  After turning down a contract extension that was reportedly worth $10 million a year from Memphis in early November, Gay is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

The Wolves are in need of an impact wing player and believe Gay could be that guy.  Minnesota is watching closely how he performs this season.  The source indicated that the one concern the Wolves have with regard to Gay is whether or not he will develop that “killer instinct” late in ballgames.

The source also expressed surprise that Gay turned down the extension Memphis offered him saying: “I think he’s going to regret that.  I don’t see how he gets more than that on the open market next summer.”

There’s always a possibility that Memphis looks to deal Gay this season.  However, considering the Grizzlies have the right to match any offer Gay receives next summer keeping him seems like the more likely option provided a team doesn’t knock Memphis’ socks off with an offer before February’s trade deadline.  Keeping Gay would also provide Memphis with the option of consummating a sign and trade deal next summer…”

As we know from David Lee and Nate Robinson, restricted free agents have plenty of leverage when it comes to transactions. Would Rudy go to Minnesota for a few more million? I can’t see it. The ex-UConn star is an interesting player, and one who could be on the Knicks radar come July 1st.

He’s a powerful finisher on the break, and a  who can step out and knock down threes, but he’s not a 1A option.

Gay is looking for an offer in the $12 million dollar range or one in the ballpark of what Danny Granger snagged. That is steep, but the Grizz may be willing to match any offer with Zach Randolph’s deal coming off the books and it’s difficult to see a sign and trade working out with the Knicks.

He’s a wonderful talent, and one I can see really being a great fit in this system, especially along side a viable star. I just get leery of a player who already has a star mentality on a team that doesn’t win, but from what I heard Gay really opened some eyes in Vegas at the USA mini-camp this past summer.
  • traps9

    $12M is just too much, but I bet he gets close to it. Which is why I don’t think he’ll be a Knick. Maybe in the long run that won’t be overpaying for whoever does, but it feels like it to me. Probably better off using part of that money for a second close-to-max or a bunch of specialty shooters (or a 1 if we don’t get LBJ – trade for Paul, Williams, Rubio, whatever).

  • jho

    He’s not even in the conversation right now with our salary situation. Right now we can only offer one max star. And I don’t see how we’re going to get rid of Curry or Jeffries easily.

  • jho

    We have absolutely nothing to offer for Paul or Williams. Maybe Rubio if Kahn can be convinced to take on Chandler.

  • Jeff Cykiert

    Gay is good, but he is in a situation where whoever wants him is going to have to overpay. We would be foolish to spend 12 million on gay when we could probably get a veteran who is just as useful for the MLE, plus one max star, and still have room.

    The problem is, we have no PG and no prospects for one this summer, so i have to believe Donnie will be working all year to find one, and probably looking to trade up in the draft as well.

  • traps9

    I do realize that; should’ve been clearer. I was more trying to fill out the example.

  • mhc423

    We wont get williams but dont count out the possibillity of getting paul. New Orleans is in deep financial troulble. Never under estimate the power of money. Talent wise we dont have enough to offer alone, but money wise we will have plenty of it and if we agree to take on another long term deal/ ie Okafor, we may get them to bite, It is a long shot but it is definitely a situation to keep a close eye on.

  • jcmoney

    I am sold on Rudy Gay. 6’8, fast as lightning, gets to the lane better than anyone on our team and will nail an open jumper from anywhere. Underrated defender too, good for steal and a half and a block. He’s dropping 20 a game on .500 FG% as a swingman. That’s pretty ridiculous.

    Yes we need a point guard, but this guy is right up our alley. Id give him 10 mil a year easy. Did I mention he only just turned 23? The guy is going to be a full blown beast in this league for a while. He is the epitome of the offensive player this teams, and on D he can guard three positions.

    I know the price tag sounds steep, but we are talking about a 6’8 version of Nate who is 23 and stuck in a city that has never put together a productive basketball team. If this guy can be had at 10-12 million a year, it’s a steal in my book.

  • traps9

    That’s where not knowing if LeBron will sign with us or not is such a PITA. He’s the 1 if he signs (barring getting a guy like Rubio), which means the 2 can be a combo guard (TD) or a real 2 (Raja, Miller, etc.)… That leaves the 3 and 5 up for grabs (I feel Gallo’s a 4), and I think it’s more important to nab a 5 this year (Bosh, Amar’e). 2011 has ‘Melo (pipe dream, perhaps). Who would you rather have in a weakside, baseline 1 on 1 than ‘Melo? Or, maybe you can get Gay in 2011? Who knows.

    LeBron James
    Toney Douglas
    Carmelo Anthony
    Danilo Gallinari
    Chris Bosh

    I mean… Holy hell. Probably won’t happen, but wow……

  • Bob go knicks

    what exactly has donnie walsh done to make you believe he will find a PG.a man who has been working in the NBA as long as he has,should have forseen the future last year and realized getting a point guard was paramount in making this team grow.it will take a miracle for the knicks to get a decent pg.not only are we one of the worst teams in the league,we have no assets to trade.Gallo is the only real trade chip that we have,two months ago i woulda thought that sinful

  • Heri

    Knuckle head Kahn better be sure that Gay wants to play in Minny because Kahn was a blind bat with Rubio.

  • Jeff Cykiert

    Assuming we do get our one super-man, an efficient swing man like gay is the last thing we need on this team; its the last place we need to be spending 10 million dollars. We need guards and big men… At this point, it makes more sense to keep chandler at a cheap price and hope he keeps improving than to pay 12 million for a slight upgrade of the same type of player.

    I personally believe Hill is going to become a very good player for us, so i think we really need to be focusing on the shooting guard/point guard areas.

  • Thall

    Kahn was a navy too.

    He used to sing:
    In the Navy, we sniff glue that’s what we do. lol

    who’ll be in the Knick uniform first? Rubio, Gay, or Heri’s all time fav. Adam Morrison? probably morrison with his helmet on. lol

  • Bob go knicks

    well kahn will talk to gay first before offering a contract

  • Mal

    Im all for Rudy, he’d probably be our plan B objective, we should also explore Melo and Durant in 2011. If we do get one of the Big Names in 2010, we still need a pure point guard to run the show and we know Duhon aint it, a guard that can weave through the paint and score or dish out assists.

  • Mal

    Gay’s abilities and IQ are much better than Wilson’s.

    I like to see Hill get the minutes so he can be evaluated properly.

    I concur we need real guards to run this show, Im not a fan of Jordan Farmar but is he better than Duhon?

  • joetheknick

    Not only is SF the position covered by Chandler and Gallinari, this guy wants 12 million and is leading a team that is scoring 100 and giving up 106. We are already doing that. Where is all the improvement for 12 million. This is Isiah thinking all over again. How many SF do we put on this team. DW has got to be looking for a PG to give the team a chance to win. Us fans are clutching as straws as usual.

  • akdrum

    I read in Sheridans blog that the Knicks want to keep Lee in 2010- Are you frickin kidding me?
    Im freaking out- THIS GUY SUX!
    No defense,no shot—no offensive rebounds.They’re going to reward him…for what?
    Please say its not true….
    oy boy

    oh, Kahn has it in for Walsh. Thats my opinion- I think Walsh did something or Kahn can read Walsh’s every intended move.
    ????