Much has been made of the impending minutes logjam when Nic comes back, and reports are that Rudy is already not happy. This deal, I think will be beneficial to all involved, can fix a minutes crunch long term, allows us even more flexibility on our roster, and sets us up nicely for the future... The last thing I'll mention is that I think the Rudy Gay situation bares keeping a close eye on, and this trade is using the assumption that Gay and Memphis make it clear that they're not in each other's future -- because it doesn't seem like they will be, neither seems to be a good fit for the other. To Memphis: While Memphis needs to get something for Gay over nothing, I don't know how many takers they'll find at the deadline with teams knowing they could simply sign him in the offseason. In Outlaw they get a pretty local kid who has always (w/ the exception of the other night) in that arena, and an athlete near the level of Gay. In Blake, they get a guy who would fit perfectly with Mayo in their backcourt and as a 6th man. They also pick up another draft pick, a valuable commodity to teams who want to rebuild cheaply. Memphis would obviously need assurances of getting one or both to resign to do this deal. Portland sends Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake and 2010 1st rd. pick to Memphis. To Minnesota: With Rubio in their future, Minny won't have interest in Conley, and with Jefferson and Love down low they won't need a big guy. ALSO, w/ those 3, its becoming obvious that Minny's gonna have to outscore people to win, and Rudy Gay fits right into that mold. Gay could be the star in Minnesota, and talent-wise, get the best player in the deal. Hunter is an expiring contract that Kahn may want to try to move on for more assets to a team trying to unload $. Memphis sends Rudy Gay and Stephen Hunter to Minnesota. To Portland: Blazers move two players who they likely wouldn't resign this offseason and bring in another candidate for franchise pg. Moving Blake and Outlaw for a currently inferior player in Flynn and a career backup in Gomes creates more minutes for Rudy (possibly even starters minutes if Nate wants to keep going small), however, Flynn should be a VERY good setup guy and has already shown that he has talent. This season, backup mins would probably be split between Flynn and Bayless, but Andre Miller could very well slide to the bench in the near future, allowing for more time for one or both. Gomes is a solid vet. backup who can stick the outside shot, defend and rebound, but also possesses better bigman skills at the 3 than Outlaw does, providing the flexibility to go big or small. Minnesota sends Johnny Flynn and Ryan Gomes to Portland. Trade works under the CBA and I think is justifiable for all teams. Thoughts?
You know it's funny, I was just thinking about how much I like Ryan Gomes' game. That guy can shoot. Minny has a plethora of point guards, so I would love to get Flynn.... or Rubio. We don't give up much though.
While I agree that Memphis could probably do better for Gay, I think Blake and Outlaw would both be really good fits for them. As for Minnesota, I think they'd do this deal. Moving Flynn would help their chances of bringing in Rubio, they still have sessions, and Gay would give them an elite perimeter player.
I dont see how this fixes any logjam as Flynn needs more PT than Blake and we already have Bayless. Minny won't trade their ROY candidate. Nice try but not feasable and doesn't help any of our guard troubles,
