Latest Rudy Gay Trade Rumor Involves Grizzlies, Celtics and Lakers

Rudy Gay’s name continues to dangle in rumors as the February 21 trade deadline approaches — thee latest speaks to a potential deal between Memphis, Boston and Los Angeles. Per the Commercial Appeal: “The speculation is that Memphis would receive (Paul) Pierce, Los Angeles would get (Rudy) Gay and (Pau) Gasol would land in Boston. Griz CEO Jason Levien told local reporters last week that no deal was imminent. It is widely known that the Griz still are open to trading Gay, and expect better offers for the swingman now that the franchise is no longer on the hook for a luxury tax payment. Memphis shed more than $6 million and got under the tax threshold Tuesday with a multiplayer deal that sent Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby and a protected 2015 first-round draft pick to Cleveland for forward Jon Leuer. ‘Getting under the luxury tax just isn’t an economic play,’ Levien said Thursday. ‘It gives us flexibility.’ […] Asked about whether the Griz were working on another trade, Levien said: ‘We’re not in a rush to do anything, but I wouldn’t definitely say anything until Feb. 22 about what might happen.’ The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 21. Levien spoke to Gay several times over the past month and lauded how the longest-tenured Grizzlies player has handled trade speculation. ‘Rudy’s a total pro,’ Levien said. ‘He’s handled this with class.’ When pressed on a percentage, whether there is a 50- or 60-percent chance the Griz would do a deal by the deadline, Levien responded with: ‘It’s more likely than not that we do nothing. We really like our team.'”