The Memphis Grizzlies Have Reportedly Discussed Trading Zach Randolph

The front-office in Memphis is keeping busy these days. And it’s not just all about shipping Rudy Gay out of town — the Grizzlies are said to also be exploring the possibility of trading Zach Randolph, however unlikely that may be. Reports the Commercial Appeal: “Griz CEO Jason Levien, whom principal owner Robert Pera has entrusted to run the franchise, is gauging the value of several players on the roster. There also have been exploratory trade conversations centered on forward Zach Randolph. The Sacramento Kings are one of the teams with whom the Griz recently held preliminary talks, according to a league source. Most, if not all, of the Grizzlies’ trade talks have been cursory in nature so there is no concrete framework for what any trade would look like. Memphis is staring at a $4 million luxury tax bill for this season, and the Grizzlies will be a tax payers for the next couple of years due in large part to the combined salaries of their top four players. Gay and Randolph earn roughly the same salary ($16.5 million) this season and next when both are owed $17.8 million. Gay, though, appears to be the player most likely to leave via trade mainly because Gay is perceived to have more trade value. Gay, 26, is younger and more athletic than Randolph, 31, who has had two major knee injuries in his career. There also is a growing belief within the organization that Gay’s on-court performance doesn’t justify his maximum salary.”