Help Me, Information Get In Touch With My Rudy

An NBA source close to the situation informed your friendly neighborhood columnist this week that the Minnesota Timberwolves have eyes for Memphis Grizzlies swingman Rudy Gay. After turning down a contract extension that was reportedly worth $10 million a year from Memphis in early November, Gay is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

The Wolves are in need of an impact wing player and believe Gay could be that guy. Minnesota is watching closely how he performs this season. The source indicated that the one concern the Wolves have with regard to Gay is whether or not he will develop that “killer instinct” late in ballgames.

via 5 Things We Learned In The NBA This Week – Basketball News & NBA Rumors -.

Ask yourself if you really think any player wouldn’t take less money to get the hell out of Memphis? The restricted free-agent thing is a huge gamble, but if he works ownership right, he can probably slide himself into a sign-and-trade, which might be the best deal for all involved. I mean, Memphis will get screwed on it, because they’ll be morons and ask for Rubio’s rights or Ryan Gomes’ mouthpiece or something, but at least in principle it will make sense.

I think it sucks that ownership and management have screwed this team up so badly that no one, not one single player is committed to the town long-term. Utah gets guys to come into a place where bars close at like sundown (just about), where music and dancing are outlawed, and the big fun activities are hiking, and makes them love the team so much they’ll do anything to stay in SLC. Meanwhile Memphis has low property rates, Beale Street, Tunica 2 hours away, and tremendous corporate potential and no one wants to put their name out there and say “I’m committed to Memphis.”

As far as Gay’s killer instinct, I think Lamar Odom is proving that you don’t need it if you have talent and are surrounded by two other top level guys. He may not be a 1st option, but he can split time as a 2nd option. And for Minnesota, that would fit perfectly with their developing roster. You know, if they stop sucking.

Oster-Tags: andtoreapartourhappyhomeinmemphistennessee, hishomeisonthesouthsidehighabovetheridgejustahalfamilefromthemississippibridge, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gay, Ryan Gomes