Why Rudy Gay Won't Be Leaving Memphis

COMMENTARY | It's time to declare the Rudy Gay trade rumors officially dead. The Memphis Grizzlies found a lot of success in the 2011 NBA Playoffs without Gay, and it led to numerous rumors that their shooting guard would be on the market this offseason. It turns out to not be the case, and the source on that revelation is a pretty reliable one.

According to Commercial Appeal, Grizzlies owner Mike Heisley had a very succinct comment to offer on the situation. Speaking on the phone to writer Geoff Calkins, he stated, "You could do me a favor. Would you please make it clear that we're not trading Rudy Gay?" Heisley went on to say, "No disrespect to Oklahoma City, but if we had had Rudy Gay, we would have won the bleepity-bleep series going away. I really believe that."

Gay just received some very nice praise from the man in charge, and if that doesn't guarantee some job security in this league, then nothing will. With Gay on the roster, the Grizzlies were able to post a 46-36 regular season record, sneaking into the postseason with the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. They then beat the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, and suddenly everyone started paying attention to the former Vancouver franchise again.

With a core of Gay, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol, Memphis could really make an impact in the West for many years to come. To make that happen, Heisley is going to have to open up his wallet and give Gasol a huge contract. He becomes a free agent at the end of the postseason, and he could hit a market that is in real need of another big man. It could mean a huge payday to go to another franchise, and Heisley will be the man asked to give Gasol the money necessary to keep him in Memphis.

Right now the Grizzlies appear to have room in their payroll to offer Gasol a nice contract, but it might require the franchise to pay more than they would prefer. It could also require trading away a player like OJ Mayo, who makes $5.6 million in 2011-12. Freeing up those extra dollars could make it easier to take on a huge contract like what Gasol will likely get. With the other three big names all locked up for at least the next three years, the time is now for Memphis to really take advantage of the young talent the team has been able to put together.

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