HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ronald Tillery: Hollins 'am i emotional about the trade? Yes. But it is the business of basketball and i understand it.' Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

The biggest impediment to such a trade, sources said, is believed to be whether Toronto can realistically afford having both Rudy Gay and Boozer on its payroll beyond this season. The Raptors, fresh off acquiring Gay from Memphis last week, have been openly shopping Bargnani, who resumed the most disappointing season of his career Wednesday night after missing 26 games with an elbow injury. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

Rudy Gay joined Tim and Sid on The Fan 590 in Toronto to discuss the trade that brought him to the Raptors last week, his fit with his new team, the factors attached to the trade, whether he expected this to happen, his remorse for Grizzlies fans, his relationship with current Raptor Kyle Lowry, and his expectations for his time in Toronto. On his initial reaction to being traded to Toronto: “I was excited for a new start. I’ve known a lot of these guys here and I’ve been a fan of DeMar’s for a long time. I like the fact that he’s gotten better and better every year. So it was cool. It was a new start for me.” On his fit in Toronto: “I feel it can be a great fit and it has been so far. But I still have a lot of work to do and obviously this team does, too.” Sports Radio Interviews

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay 

Gay on what, besides money, might have been in play: “I was left on the outside of the situation. But you never know what? Things you think could be bad end up being good and I think this is one of those blessings in disguise.” Sports Radio Interviews

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay 

Gay on if he feels bad for Grizzlies fans for what’s gone down: “I do. Obviously Memphis is somewhere I’ve been for most of my career and I made a lot of relationships. … I think this year was the year that we could have done something, but now they’re going to have to figure it out without me. I’m happy to be here and I’m gonna start a legacy here.” Sports Radio Interviews

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay 

A source close to new Raptors forward Rudy Gay said he was happy about leaving the Grizzlies. The Raptors’ up-tempo offense will be better suited for the fashionable Gay, as will living in metropolitan Toronto. Yahoo! Sports

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay 

Lang Greene: According to Raptors head Dwane Casey, the goal for this season is making the playoffs. The Rudy Gay trade puts the team all in. Twitter @LangGreene

Toronto Raptors, Rudy Gay, Dwane Casey 

Second item: perhaps it should go without saying, but don't look for the Warriors to be active at the trade deadline. The rumor that they were making a hard push for Rudy Gay was not accurate, a team source says, and while they would not turn down the chance to make an upgrade, they're not motivated to mess around with a chemistry that is as good as any in the league. Sulia

Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay 

As much progress as DeRozan has made this season, he sees Gay's arrival pushing him to another level. "Rudy is probably what I needed," DeRozan said. "You never know. He helps me so much and with him helping me I can help everyone else in a way. It makes me feel that much more comfortable to where I feel like I don't have to score. I like getting my teammates involved and once that happens everything else (just falls into place)." Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan 

DeRozan and newcomer Rudy Gay, the centerpieces on the wings for the rejuvenated Raptors, had combined for 39 points in a 98-73 rout of the Clippers, giving fans a glimpse — for one night at least — of what could be a wonderful relationship. “I’ve known Rudy for a couple of years now and jokingly we said this summer we were going to play together,” said DeRozan, who had 19 of those 39 points. “It’s just crazy, he knows my game, I know his game. It’s as simple as that. We don’t make it difficult, other than that, we just know each other’s games.” Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan 

Sherman Hamilton: Rudy Gay: "I feel like I know how to win now" because of his 6.5 years in Memphis #RTZ Twitter @shermanhamilton

Toronto Raptors, Rudy Gay 

Memphis coach Lionel Hollins explaining why the Grizzlies traded away five players, including leading scorer Rudy Gay: “When you have champagne taste, you can't be on a beer budget. It's a small market and I understand the economics of being in a small market. I've been with the Grizzlies for 11 years in Memphis. Rudy Gay has been a big part of our success. I've known him as a kid as a rookie coming in. He's a big part of my success as a coach here and I feel I was a big part of his success and I wish him the best as he moves forward into the second chapter of his career.” Oklahoman

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Lionel Hollins 

Alex Kennedy: It'll be interesting to see Kyle Lowry and Rudy Gay play together. They've been good friends for years. They train together at @impactbball. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Toronto Raptors, Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry 

Ronald Tillery: When asked 'Does this make you a worse team?,' Hollins said: "Time will tell." Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Lionel Hollins 

Ronald Tillery: Hollins: "Rudy Gay has been a big part of our success. …I wish him the best." Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Lionel Hollins 

Ronald Tillery: Griz coach Lionel Hollins on trade: "We’re in a small market and I understand the economics of being in a small market." Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Lionel Hollins 

For quite awhile, Gay had told people in his inner circle that he would welcome a trade from Memphis. Last offseason, he reached out to several players on teams that were pursuing him to discuss the possibility of playing together. Gay was never too fond of Memphis. He seriously considered leaving when he became a free agent in 2010, but he couldn’t turn down a maximum extension. Gay signed for the money, not because he was attached or in love with Memphis. HoopsWorld

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay 

Toronto wouldn’t have had cap room this summer, but they could've had max-level room in the summer of 2014. That’s gone now, even if they dump Bargnani and somehow find a taker for the badly overpaid Landry Fields. Toronto has essentially spent that cap room on Gay, though Gay gave Toronto no assurances he’ll exercise his $19.3 million player option for 2014-15, multiple sources said. The Raptors are confident they’ll be able to re-sign him then, and if they can’t, it will be because he has floundered in Toronto. Grantland

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay 

So the Grizzlies settled on a guy who can still play a little and makes about $7 million next season at Gay’s position. (Multiple league sources say all three of Randolph, Speights, and Mike Conley are on pace to hit various incentives that would have jacked up their cap numbers for next season; Randolph already nailed one such benchmark by making the All-Star team. The exact collective payroll increase at this point is unclear, but it could end up somewhere in the $1.25 million range and factored into Memphis’ taking an ultra-frugal route here.) Memphis now has the small-forward position covered, meaning their only urgent remaining need this summer will be figuring out the shooting guard spot. Tony Allen is a free agent, and he’s due a raise; Memphis will either pay him that raise or sign a replacement at a similar rate. Grantland

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay 

Michael Grange: Lowry on Rudy: 'I told him it was a first class organization and good to be a part of' #Raptors Twitter @michaelgrange

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry