Memphis Grizzlies Owner: ‘We’re Not Trading Rudy Gay’

Despite the persistent rumors, Michael Heisley insists that Rudy Gay isn’t on the market, and he’s convinced that Memphis would be in the Western Conference Finals right now had the forward not gotten injured. The Commercial Appeal reports: “Mike Heisley was on the phone from Chicago. Something was plainly bothering him. ‘You could do me a favor,’ he said. For you, Mike? Anything. ‘Would you please make it clear that we’re not trading Rudy Gay?’ You’re not? But I keep hearing all these NBA types say that you might well trade him. ‘I know,’ said Heisley. ‘And, quite frankly, it (ticks) me off. I think it’s cruel to the guy. He died during this period. That’s how much he wanted to play. And to now have to hear that we’re trading him? There’s nothing more untrue than that.’ So, I should write that he’ll be back? ‘Let me tell you something,’ said Heisley. ‘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.'”