Recent reports have suggested the Grizzlies are open to shopping Rudy Gay, perhaps for a lottery pick, but owner Michael Heisley insists that's not the case.
"We’re not looking to trade Rudy Gay," Heisley told Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "We’re not shopping him around. Period. Do we sit around and say ‘What if we traded Rudy, who could we get?’ No. Right now, Rudy is part of the future of this team."
9:21pm: According to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, the asking price reported by ESPN is a little steep in comparison to what his sources have told him. Wolstat writes that the Raptors are willing to deal the No. 8 pick, but that they aren't willing to package a young talent like Ed Davis in it.
TUESDAY, 6:47pm: Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio confirms that "talk around the league" indicates the Grizzlies are shopping Rudy Gay. According to Amico, Memphis seems to be seeking a lottery pick in return.
"He won't be an easy move," one team executive told Amico. "It's hard to imagine them getting back what they want for him, based on what I'm hearing."
The Spurs are two wins away from the NBA Finals. The Mavs are courting Deron Williams in an attempt to get back into championship contention. The Rockets want to make a splash by going after a star player this summer. The Grizzlies have been a playoff team for two years in a row. The Hornets have the No. 1 and the No. 10 picks in the draft. The Southwest Division could be the league's toughest next season, particularly if the Hornets can re-sign Eric Gordon. Here's what's happening around the Southwest now.
The Warriors were one of a few teams to benefit from Wednesday night's draft lottery results, hanging onto their lottery pick for another year. According to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, GM Bob Myers doesn't intend to use all four picks the Warriors hold, but views them as valuable trade assets. Myers also aims to land a starter with the seventh overall pick, pointing out that "I don't think anyone would accept the thought of drafting a backup" with a top-10 pick. Here are a few more of the morning's Warriors updates:
Although Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley was disappointed that his team lost its opening round series to the Clippers, he tells Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal that he's not "moping."
"I remember I went nine years without winning a playoff game," Heisley said. "I'd like to have more, but I feel pretty good about this team. I'm looking at the big picture."
The big picture for the Grizzlies will include a number of roster decisions this summer, so let's check out a few updates on those upcoming moves….