Grizzlies Reach Maximum Deal with Gay
Rudy Gay agreed to a five year, $81.6M maximum contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, in a report first issued by NBA.com. The contract includes a player option for a fifth season, and allows the Grizzlies to continue to build around the core of Gay and guard O.J. Mayo.
It was widely speculated that Gay would be out of Memphis, despite being a restricted free agent. He was the target of quite a few teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Jersey Nets (should the LeBron James plan fell through).
The Timberwolves would have front-loaded a contract that would have paid him $20M in his first season. However, the Memphis Grizzlies, who have been historically a penny-pinching franchise, have enough faith and confidence in Gay to offer him a max contract and keep their star happy, and put more fans in the seats in return.
The 23 year old had one of his better seasons with the Grizzlies, averaging 19.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in his fourth season with the team. He had his best season in 2007-08 when he averaged 20.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG.
He has career averages of 17.4 PPG and 5.5 RPG. With a new contract, and keeping their core together (Gay, Mayo, and Zach Randolph), and if the #2 pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, Hasheem Thabeet, can improve his play, Memphis could possibly creep into the playoffs in 2011.
Since Gay is a restricted free agent, he can sign his contract during the NBA Free Agency Moratorium period from July 1st-7th.
(Photo courtesy of Joe Murphy NBAE/via Getty Images)
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