I heard that Shane was traded to Houston in exchange for 19-year-old, Gay. If so, I'm really disappointed. I loved the Grizz partially because it was Battier that played for them....
2006-06-30 03:48:26 · 7 answers · asked by ? 4 in Sports ➔ Basketball
The trade has not been official because the NBA moratorium (or the waiting period, as I like to call it) doesn't end until mid-july (Battier is a base year compensation player, which means he doesn't alway get the same salary on a year by year basis, therefore his salary needs to be reset on July 1 for this trade to happen). As of right now, Battier is still a player in the Grizzlies organization, pending a physical and the moratorium to end.
The reason for this trade is that the Rockets need a defensive stopper that can score, which Battier posses, while also having a insurance player if Tracy McGrady goes down again, because the Rockets never had a reliable backup for McGrady last season. The Grizzlies didn't want to pay big money for Battier in the near future and with the Grizzlies having so much depth on their bench, Battier was expendable and trade him for the rights of the 8th pick, which was forward Rudy Gay of Conneticut, who happens to be a cheaper source for scoring and defense (the Grizzlies didn't want to lose Battier for nothing and Gay is more athletic than Battier).
The result of this trade is:
1) The Rockets get a season veteran in Battier, who is likely going to be the "defensive stopper" for the team (assign to stop guys like Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and others), something the Rockets lack last season, instead of relying on a rookie like Gay, who wasn't going to get playing time under Jeff Van Gundy.
2) Gay goes from little playing time to big opportunities by going to the Grizziles, where he will be part of the rotation in a deep Grizzlies bench, while playing the same type of defense that Battier plays (except, he much younger and more athletic). As a bonus, they don't have to worry about contract situation (Battier contract was about to end soon, while Gay has a guarenteed 3-year contract with an option for the fourth).
2006-06-30 06:15:59 · answer #1 · answered by mojo8983 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Its still "rumored". They can't officially confirm it until the new salary cap is set. Memphis still got a steal in that deal though. Rudy Gay could turn out to be a heck of a player.
2006-06-30 12:46:48 · answer #2 · answered by Drew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Memphis took advantage of them. Badly.
2006-06-30 10:51:29 · answer #3 · answered by Bill S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep
2006-06-30 12:13:13 · answer #4 · answered by showemout 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. now i will follow the rockets. yao, tracy, and shane. not a bad trio.
2006-06-30 22:10:18 · answer #5 · answered by Akeja 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup
2006-06-30 10:59:56 · answer #6 · answered by Hoopzgurl1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont know, dont care
2006-06-30 11:30:40 · answer #7 · answered by Aalin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋