Memphis simply traded "TALENT" for continuity/defense/experience and most of all salary dump
With the big 3 now being
ZBO
Marc Gasol
Conley
and a very good 6th man role of
Bayless
The other players on the team are asked to play DEFENSE and play off the players above, while the offense will be initiated by these players above
But Rudy Gay is a top tier SF with his athleticism, skills, and youth AFTER Lebron/Durant *there simply is not many players with at his size/youth/position with that potential/skillset*
NO, he was not playing to his highest potential, and it limited his opportunities along with less touches for some players above
They did not have a great bench, but their starting 5 could have competed with ANYONE in the entire league
Their starting 5 is on an ELITE level on the much stronger compitition of the Western Conference
Problem was Marc Gasol/ZBO are better suited at the half court system, while Gay is a high/quick uptempo team like Suns once were
They needed a stretch 4 with athletic G/F's to compliment Gay
Instead, now a rotation of
Bayless PG/SG
Tony Allen SG/SF
Prince SF
Pondexter SF
Not sure if Prince/Quincy Pondexter *MCL sprain* can play some SG or not
My problem was that they did NOT get back good value for Rudy Gay *how many players at the SF position actually has his skill's/youth/athleticism?* After Lebron/Durant...
There is no reason why Toronto would not have given up an more assets, with a 1st round pick and a young player *preferably Terence Ross*preferably because of contract* or DeRozan *would be a UFA in the end of the season*, regardless it would still be an asset and possible S&T possibility*
Toronto does not have the ability to attract "ALL STAR" level type players, they just traded for one while barely giving up anything
They gave up
Calderon *expiring deal*
Ed Davis *solid young PF/C, ROLE PLAYER*
2nd round pick *seriously??, NY traded for 2 2nd picks for Camby at his age and 2 for Raymond Felton, while Gay is a TOP tier SF at 26 years of age*
It is a a complete steal for Toronto and MANY TEAM's GM could/would offer a much better package with AT LEAST 1st round picks *possibly MULTIPLE picks*, Young player or PLAYERS *with high ceilings* Look at what OKC was able to get for Harden
Steve Nash, as great as he is, at his age he was still able to get 2 1st round picks, 2 2nd round picks, and a trade exemption they could use *VERY VALUABLE*
Also Memphis made a great addition and buying low with Bayless, but they gave up on OJ Mayo while not able to retain any asset's for him
It would have made much more sense to get him to a *cap friendly deal like 15m for 3 years with team option for 4th or starting salary at 5m + increases each year*
Previously, 2 seasons ago, during preseason, Memphis also traded a big PG/SG in his 2nd year
Greivis Vasquez *as a rookie with high potential* 6'6 PG/SG *complete steal in 2010 draft picked at 28*
for
Quincy Pondexter ,*solid role player potential* 6'6 SF *picked at 26 in 2010 draft
2/1/2013 9:57 PM