It’s been quite known for some time that the Memphis Grizzlies are really active in trade talks and they are looking to shed salary. The two Grizzlies players with the highest payroll on the roster are forwards Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph.
Gay has been involved in plenty of trade scenarios with several teams, such as the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors. Now, it's the Washington Wizards.
According to a report from the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the Wizards have offered rookie Bradley Beal in a package for Gay.
"The Griz have entertained the Washington Wizards’ offer for Gay. The crux of that exchange would have the Griz receiving rookie shooting guard Bradley Beal in a larger package. The proposals for Randolph have been even weaker," the Commercial-Appeal wrote.
Trading Gay or Randolph at this point of the season wouldn’t be a good idea for Memphis. The team has finally started a year playing well and without injuries to any of their own stars. They deserve to play this year out and see how far they can go in the Western Conference.
As for the Wizards, trading for Gay would be awful. Gay is a very good scorer, but he has way too much salary, as he is due to make $16.5 million this season and more than $17 million in the 2013-14 season. It also wouldn’t make the Wizards that much better. I would rather rebuild the right way and keep building the young core of John Wall and Beal.
