Fords updated "10 names to be traded" list.

[Who]

3) Why on earth would you trade your TWO best players in one deal?

Because the Grizzlies don't have a single All-Star caliber player on their roster. If giving up two of their best players allows them to grab an All-NBA talent, or possibly even a perennial All-Star type talent, who is young enough to build around then it's worth giving up two of their best players (Gay, Gasol, Mayo, Randolph).

[KCattheStripe]

Trevor Ariza scores 15.9ppg on 15.3 shot attempts + 3.5 FTAs + 2.6 turnovers. The man is not a scorer.

Ariza's defense + rebounding have also dropped considerably this season due to the increased demands offensively. He hasn't been able to sustain his previous high quality work in both departments. It looks like it will be one or the other and he's a lot more effective as a fifth option.

Shane Battier turns 32 years of age before the start of next season. How much use is he to a young team?

It's a terrible trade package.

Again, a couple of things. You mention that Ariza has suffered now that he is no longer the fifth option, but in going to Memphis he would become at best the 4th. Isn't it possible that his defense and rebounding would go back up now that he's no longer being asked to carry the offensive load.

As far as Battier being to old for a young team, how useful was Bibby to the Hawks? Brad Miller to the Bulls?

Trading that player for an established star, a young prospect with considerable potential, or future draft picks is acceptable.

The point that is not getting through here, is that you can't get that kind of value for a 1 year rental on a 3 million dollar contract.

Then there is no trade worth making.

Disagree. If you know a player is leaving, take what you can. Especially if it leaves you enough to still make a considerable playoff push.

[Who]

Trevor Ariza scores 15.9ppg on 15.3 shot attempts + 3.5 FTAs + 2.6 turnovers. The man is not a scorer.

Ariza's defense + rebounding have also dropped considerably this season due to the increased demands offensively. He hasn't been able to sustain his previous high quality work in both departments. It looks like it will be one or the other and he's a lot more effective as a fifth option.

Shane Battier turns 32 years of age before the start of next season. How much use is he to a young team?

It's a terrible trade package.

Again, a couple of things. You mention that Ariza has suffered now that he is no longer the fifth option, but in going to Memphis he would become at best the 4th. Isn't it possible that his defense and rebounding would go back up now that he's no longer being asked to carry the offensive load.

As far as Battier being to old for a young team, how useful was Bibby to the Hawks? Brad Miller to the Bulls?

Trading that player for an established star, a young prospect with considerable potential, or future draft picks is acceptable.

The point that is not getting through here, is that you can't get that kind of value for a 1 year rental on a 3 million dollar contract.

Then there is no trade worth making.

Disagree. If you know a player is leaving, take what you can. Especially if it leaves you enough to still make a considerable playoff push.

Rudy Gay is a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies still have a lot of options in the summer.

No need to panic and take back a poor trade package now.

[KCattheStripe]

3) Why on earth would you trade your TWO best players in one deal?

Because the Grizzlies don't have a single All-Star caliber player on their roster. If giving up two of their best players allows them to grab an All-NBA talent, or possibly even a perennial All-Star type talent, who is young enough to build around then it's worth giving up two of their best players (Gay, Gasol, Mayo, Randolph).

Thats a false premise. Rudy is the 3rd best SF in the West and is absolutely an All-Star Calibre player. And Zach Randolph is a 21/12 player. In what universe is that not an all star calibre player? And thats forgetting the All Star potential of Gasol and Mayo. The one thing the Grizz aren't lacking is talent. So if you know you're going to lose some of that talent and you know you can't get a star in return, why wouldn't you grab championship calibre role players?

[KCattheStripe]

Trevor Ariza scores 15.9ppg on 15.3 shot attempts + 3.5 FTAs + 2.6 turnovers. The man is not a scorer.

Ariza's defense + rebounding have also dropped considerably this season due to the increased demands offensively. He hasn't been able to sustain his previous high quality work in both departments. It looks like it will be one or the other and he's a lot more effective as a fifth option.

Shane Battier turns 32 years of age before the start of next season. How much use is he to a young team?

It's a terrible trade package.

Again, a couple of things. You mention that Ariza has suffered now that he is no longer the fifth option, but in going to Memphis he would become at best the 4th. Isn't it possible that his defense and rebounding would go back up now that he's no longer being asked to carry the offensive load.

As far as Battier being to old for a young team, how useful was Bibby to the Hawks? Brad Miller to the Bulls?

Trading that player for an established star, a young prospect with considerable potential, or future draft picks is acceptable.

The point that is not getting through here, is that you can't get that kind of value for a 1 year rental on a 3 million dollar contract.

Then there is no trade worth making.

Disagree. If you know a player is leaving, take what you can. Especially if it leaves you enough to still make a considerable playoff push.

Rudy Gay is a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies still have a lot of options in the summer.

No need to panic and take back a poor trade package now.

He's restricted, but this franchise is notorious for not spending money. As soon as a Chicago, NJ or NYK fail to land a major free agent, they're gonna come throwing franchise money at Rudy and there's no way Memphis spends that.

[Who]

Trevor Ariza scores 15.9ppg on 15.3 shot attempts + 3.5 FTAs + 2.6 turnovers. The man is not a scorer.

Ariza's defense + rebounding have also dropped considerably this season due to the increased demands offensively. He hasn't been able to sustain his previous high quality work in both departments. It looks like it will be one or the other and he's a lot more effective as a fifth option.

Shane Battier turns 32 years of age before the start of next season. How much use is he to a young team?

It's a terrible trade package.

Again, a couple of things. You mention that Ariza has suffered now that he is no longer the fifth option, but in going to Memphis he would become at best the 4th. Isn't it possible that his defense and rebounding would go back up now that he's no longer being asked to carry the offensive load.

As far as Battier being to old for a young team, how useful was Bibby to the Hawks? Brad Miller to the Bulls?

Trading that player for an established star, a young prospect with considerable potential, or future draft picks is acceptable.

The point that is not getting through here, is that you can't get that kind of value for a 1 year rental on a 3 million dollar contract.

Then there is no trade worth making.

Disagree. If you know a player is leaving, take what you can. Especially if it leaves you enough to still make a considerable playoff push.

Rudy Gay is a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies still have a lot of options in the summer.

No need to panic and take back a poor trade package now.

He's restricted, but this franchise is notorious for not spending money. As soon as a Chicago, NJ or NYK fail to land a major free agent, they're gonna come throwing franchise money at Rudy and there's no way Memphis spends that.

Maybe, maybe not. It's not a certainty.

Restricted free agents like Gay regularly fail to get high priced offers. More competition this year, more likelihood of happening, but still a long way from a certainty.

I think a lot of teams in the NBA are interested in Rudy Gay in that $10 million price range. Max money is a different situation. Most teams will be hesitant to anywhere near that ... desperate times do cause teams to do silly things though.

[Who]

3) Why on earth would you trade your TWO best players in one deal?

Because the Grizzlies don't have a single All-Star caliber player on their roster. If giving up two of their best players allows them to grab an All-NBA talent, or possibly even a perennial All-Star type talent, who is young enough to build around then it's worth giving up two of their best players (Gay, Gasol, Mayo, Randolph).

Thats a false premise. Rudy is the 3rd best SF in the West and is absolutely an All-Star Calibre player. And Zach Randolph is a 21/12 player. In what universe is that not an all star calibre player? And thats forgetting the All Star potential of Gasol and Mayo. The one thing the Grizz aren't lacking is talent. So if you know you're going to lose some of that talent and you know you can't get a star in return, why wouldn't you grab championship calibre role players?

We disagree greatly on the level of talent on the Grizzlies roster.

[byennie]

Ray Allen + Big Baby + (various sweeteners could work)

FOR

Iguodala + Dalembert

Gets us back to being a defensive powerhouse. Dalembert expires after next year along with  Pierce and Iguodala doesn't make that much more than Ray Ray is going to want if we resign him.

Big Baby has become a bit of a distraction this year and is a role player that still has some value on the market.

Philly gets their cap relief and a useable asset (we could throw in a pick, or Giddens / Walker as well)

[ManUp]

Kmart, Nocioni, and Udrih please.

Iguodala if Philly is desperate.

Memphis isn't matching salaries to deal Gay.

[More Banners]

3) Why on earth would you trade your TWO best players in one deal?

Because the Grizzlies don't have a single All-Star caliber player on their roster. If giving up two of their best players allows them to grab an All-NBA talent, or possibly even a perennial All-Star type talent, who is young enough to build around then it's worth giving up two of their best players (Gay, Gasol, Mayo, Randolph).

Channelling Charles Barkley:

First of all, Zach Randolph is a very talented player having a career season.  He's making a strong case for an All-Star nod this year.  I wouldn't build around him, but he's pretty good. 

First of all, almost the rest of their starters are still on their rookie contracts.  For them to be playing as well as they are with that many young  players suggests they are developing a whole bunch of potential star players...maybe they don't have one guy that can carry the whole team in the playoffs, but their starting unit is both quite talented and very balanced.  It would not be easy for them to upgrade their starting lineup, 2-5, and Conley is proving as more than adequate.

First of all, they're geniuses for signing Allen Iverson, then not putting up with his crap, and getting rid of him.  The coach and management sent a strong message to the team with that move, inspiring the confidence Conley needs to develop, and letting Zach (and, later, Tinsley) know it was about 'team'.

That's why they're keeping Chris Wallace as GM.  He cleared up a mess and rebuilt that team quite nicely.  If they had a bench, they'd have a puncher's chance of going pretty far.

[Brickowski]

Yes, the Grizz had the talent, but except for Conley and Marc Gasol, they were all selfish.  One pass and a shot-- and the two biggest culprits were Gay and Mayo.

For some reason they have figured out that selfishness doesn't win games.  May it's better coaching, maybe it's just maturity.  But whatever the reason they're playing well.

BTW I've always liked Conley.  He's a very fundamentally sound player.

[Who]

The Grizzlies have some talented players. Just none that you would build a team around.

And, there is way too much faith shown to Zach Randolph during a career season. How much money are willing to give him in a year's time? How long a contract? Are you building a team where he's your best player?

Where are the Grizzlies going long term?

[Brickowski]

Long term, they are going wherever Michael Heisley permits them to go. The first question is, will they match an offer sheet for Rudy Gay and, in future years, will they spend the money to retain young talent like Mayo and Conley?

[Who]

Long term, they are going wherever Michael Heisley permits them to go. The first question is, will they match an offer sheet for Rudy Gay and, in future years, will they spend the money to retain young talent like Mayo and Conley?

If Memphis retains their present players and builds around them ...

Do you think they have the potential to grow into a contender?

[More Banners]

The Grizzlies have some talented players. Just none that you would build a team around.

And, there is way too much faith shown to Zach Randolph during a career season. How much money are willing to give him in a year's time? How long a contract? Are you building a team where he's your best player?

Where are the Grizzlies going long term?

True, but there are really only 4-5 guys in the NBA, tops, that really meet that "build around" standard...guys that can carry a team by themselves, and those guys aren't getting traded.

There are really two theories of building good teams:  the "great player" theory, which holds that the NBA is about great players, and a team needs a Kobe, Wade, or LeBra to be great.  The current LeBra Cavs, Wade's Heat, and first Iverson-era 76rs are/were those kind of teams, I think, and prove both the possibilities and limitations of this approach; they still need really good players at other positions, which becomes harder with the current salary cap system.  They end up relying on the greatness of their great player, and that works often enough.  Many jerseys and sneakers get sold.  The NBA likes that.

Then there is the Larry Brown Pistons approach:  get a whole bunch of very good players at every position, then, through solid effort, execution, and excellent coaching that exploits matchups, play winning basketball.  These are teams nobody wants to play 7 games against.  There is probably no max contract player on this type of team (sorry, Rudy), but several $10 mil and MLE-type guys (happy now, Rudy?).  They end up being contenders for a long time, but nobody buys their shoes or jerseys.

It looks more likely that the Griz will achieve #2, which is pretty darn good.  Come on...give them some props.