Grizz will match any offer to Gay

by Tommy Dee on March 17th, 2010 at 10:35 am

Via Memphis Appeal

“…Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley told a group of season ticket holders that the team plans to match any offer Rudy Gay receives this summer.Gay will be a restricted free agent, meaning that Memphis has the right to match any offer sheet he signs.

Heisley spoke before Tuesday’s game against the Bulls at the team’s annual “State of the Franchise” Chalk Talk where season ticket holders could ask questions…”

Rudy turned down a $10 million per offer during the off season. It will be interesting to see what sort of offer sheet he receives. I don’t believe he is a max player, but he’s had a solid season and could be viewed as a solid second tier option to teams with money to spend like the Knicks.

Just last week, Gay told reporters that he was interested in New York.

This is where, to me, things are going to get most interesting. I still maintain that if the Knicks land a star player, the chances of a work stoppage significantly decreases. Gay wants to cash in, but I have a hard time believing he’d sign more than a 3-year deal. And what about guys like Conley Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo? I hope they can sign them all and keep them because it’s good for the league. Kudos to Memphis if they can make this happen.
  • JaymanJD

    I hope this is very false. The more players that come off the market this summer the more of panic attack the knicks will have. They might have very little options come summer time. Joe Johnson keeps getting happier and happier because he is ready to take us all on a rid of our lives. Can you say MAX money. At this point I dont even believe Joe Johnson i the best player on his own team I would take AL or Josh over him any day. You dont give max money to a player who is coming from a team where he is not even the best player on it.

  • Knicks4life

    “I still maintain that if the Knicks land a star player, the chances of a work stoppage significantly decreases.”

    It could probably bring peace to the Middle East as well.

  • xsaberx

    Heisley has to say this to try and scare off other bidders. Any other statement about his intents with resigning Gay would be completely unintelligent. This is meaningless.

  • EQ1217

    Haha!!, good one, I was thinking the same thing.

  • BiggieSmalls

    What else is Heisley going to say to his existing season ticket holders?

    I wonder if anyone asked him to reconcile those statements with his previous statements that they had to get more people in the seats before they commit to expanding payroll..

    Tommy makes a good point that there are other players on the team that will need paydays and expectations need to be managed.

    i think they got Brewer from Utah as insurance in case the RG auction gets out of their price range.

    Im not quite sure how the Knicks signing a super star has anything to do with a work stoppage.

  • HaS

    “I still maintain that if the Knicks land a star player, the chances of a work stoppage significantly decreases.”

    Ridiculous.

    No shots.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    It’s not ridiculous at all. The NFL is headed for a stoppage. BRI revenue would increase as would television dollars if a star player landed here.

    The NBA can’t allow a second stoppage in a decade.

    Also the owners should take the threats of players going overseas VERY seriously.

    no shots.

  • italian stallion

    I pray that this is true. The more overrated FAs like Gay and Johsnon that come off the market the better the chances that Walsh doesn’t overpay for one of them.

  • Mucha

    Rudy Gay and Joe Johnson ARE the back-up plan.

    The Knicks will have to make something happen if the 1st-tier FA’s don’t want to play in NY. I don’t know if I’ll be mentally strong enough to watch this team lose next season – the Knicks will HAVE to improve talent-wise and make the playoffs in 2011 IMO. Even if Donnie Walsh has to overpay for Rudy Gay.

  • VOR

    Rudy Gay and Joe Johnson are still-quote “2nd tier” unquote, free agents. If the Knicks don’t get one of these guys the chances just are raised that the Knicks are going to find themselves back in the lottery next year. Isaiah’s blunder is going to cost the Knicks a chance at Wall and Turner, and Walsh’s stupidity is going to cost us a chance at Matt Barnes and Perry Jones. And because Houston may be drafting in the 20′s with the comeback of Yao Ming the Knicks won’t even have the chance of drafting even a lottery pick. Some Knicks fans talk about not being able to watch Steph Curry because it hurt that bad, well his brother may be coming out in 2011 and I think he’s not only better than his brother but also a lock to go top 5, and if the Knicks, no “Walsh” don’t get “HIS GUY” this summer and the Knicks, no “Walsh” is left with that dumb look on his face you’ll remember that VOR said I TOLD YOU SO!!! Sett Curry is his brother’s name, and i would take him over Wall today! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3CXon8Ve0

  • oscar f

    I think the knicks should stay away from RFA unless they have to. Any team would purposely make them sweat for a whole week. As far as draft picks Minny might deal their pick depending on how the draft shakes and where they pick. Call me crazy but if Curry’s expiring can bring back star power like lets say Ellis from GS who will be picking high then they can probably move him and Chandler to minny for that pick and a filler. If the Knicks can some how get Cousins then Lebron who loves that guy would love to team up with him. You know minny loves pgs.

  • oscar f

    Bottomline is the Knicks need to try to get into the lottery this year. They for the first time have the assets and flexability to do it. A guy like Cousins or Turner could turn things around and make an impact . Cousins imo has similar dominance to Shaq but not as good.

  • ds2488

    Not buying this at all. What else is Heisley going to tell his season ticket-holders- “Hey guys, just wanted to tell you that I am putting an ultimatum to you that if you don’t buy tickets I am not going to pay for an FA’s”. Of course he’s going to say he’s paying for a Gay. If it gets above 10 million, they are not going to pay gay (hey I rhymed).

  • VOR

    @ oscar f, I can’t wait to see my guy Pittmam Match up against your guy Cousins! Kentucky is going down!

  • Mucha

    LOL

    You’re right.

    Definition of a smokescreen.

  • oscar f

    lol

  • italian stallion

    If Lebron/Wade/Bosh fails, if it was up to me, I’d swallow my pride, admit I screwed up royally (especially with this last deal) and only look to add pieces that helped the team long term at prices that made sense.

    I think that totally eliminates guys like Johnson and Gay!!!

    However, we still need a C that can play some defense and a PG (unless Toney Douglas continues to develop). So I think there are things we can do to make the team better without making any stupid moves that would destroy our long term chances of building a championship team by overpaying for 2nd tier overrated FA talent.

  • Mucha

    If the Knicks want to rebuild, I’d still sign Rudy Gay (because he’s just 24 years old), trade Wilson Chandler for another young player and try to get a lottery pick with Eddy Curry’s contract. I don’t think Rudy Gay’s a bad piece!

    I think Donnie Walsh gave up too many assets to be patient. I’ve seen enough, I think the Knicks need to have a better product to offer considering that Donnie jeopardized our future by giving away 3 potential lottery picks.

    Donnie Walsh has MANY options. But he’ll have to make a huge splash THIS SUMMER even if he has to settle for Joe Johnson and Rudy Gay – because they are still better than J Hill. But J Hill is better than nothing!

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  • HaS

    I’m just not sure how a star player ending up in NY is going to help the other 29 teams agree not to lockout the players if they’re not happy. Television revenue is shared, but would it make that much of a difference to 29 team’s bottom line?

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