At what cost do the Raptors need Rudy Gay?

Trade rumours have popped up often this season. Just yesterday, we had some interesting discussion on our Facebook page about the possibility of acquiring Paul Pierce.

Now, Rudy Gay’s name has resurfaced. We’ve talked about him once before on Raptors Watch, but now it’s time to talk about him again.

While the Warriors were shooting the lights out at the ACC last night; Marc Stein broke out a story that the Raptors are in serious talks to acquire Gay.

There a couple names on the Raptor roster that have repeatedly come up in trade scenarios: 1) Jose Calderon; and 2) Andrea Bargnani.

But perhaps more worryingly, two more have been added to the mix: 3) Kyle Lowry; and 4) Ed Davis.

My quick thoughts (I’ll explain later): I’d do this trade if it involved Jose and Andrea – but I’d be furious if it involved Ed Davis.

Keep reading..

Trading away Ed Davis (and one of our point guards) now for Rudy Gay would be a panic move. There is no set up for the future in this scenario. It’s just a quick fix for Colangelo to save his job.

Ed Davis has been one of our best players this season, and definitely the most improved. He’s a huge asset moving forward in my eyes.

I do believe acquiring Gay would make us a playoff team, but at what cost is the question. Losing a key part of our future in Davis would be disheartening to say the least.

If we trade Ed, it means we’ve committed to Bargnani again. Which means we haven’t learnt a thing.

Here are a couple potential problems with Rudy Gay – even if it means playoffs.

He has an appalling contract. If he doesn’t pan out, it’s going to be nearly impossible to move him for something useful.

Also, he is not an all-star; although Colangelo seems to think he has the same worth as one. is Gay a clear improvement over our current wing players? Absolutely. He isn’t consistent though, and is not known to be a team player – think Alan Anderson. Surely, there must be a reason why Memphis wants to deal Gay.

Something else that Raptor fans are worried about – which is not necessarily something I agree with –  is the fact that we should be tanking instead of trying to get better now. The logic is that if we acquire Gay; we only get marginally better – but not good enough to contend.

But we also won’t be bad enough to tank for a high draft pick next season.

Basically, we’re doomed to be a treadmill team forever.

But here’s the reality – and ultimately why I don’t agree with this logic – even if the Raptors don’t get Rudy Gay, they won’t be bad enough to land a star in the draft.

I mean really, look at the team now: Lowry, Ross, DeMar, Ed, Val.. That’s a core who is playing well, and is only going to improve next year. No way we’re bad enough to land that pick anyway.

There’s only one option left – improve.

But again – at what cost?

My concluding thought is this:

If Memphis accepts Bargnani and Jose instead of Davis and Jose/Lowry – which remains to be a huge unknown at this point – then yes, I absolutely welcome this trade. Jose is going to walk for free in the off-season anyway, so we have to get value for him now.

Just think of this line-up heading into the future. It would set us up not only for immediate improvement, but also for the future.

Lowry
DeMar
Gay
Davis
Valanciunas

And you still have a highly promising Terrence Ross off the bench; not to mention Amir Johnson who’s playing well and is still only 25.

We’ll keep you updated on further trade scenarios as they happen. We’d also love to hear your thoughts either here, or on our Facebook page.