Grizzlies, Rudy Gay talking, but no deal reached

[La Bomba]

Unless there is significant progress in negotiations, it appears the Grizzlies and forward Rudy Gay will not agree to a long-term contract extension before the Oct. 31 deadline.

 

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said Thursday that the discussions, while amicable, are about where they've been since the summer.

 

Wallace has negotiated with Gay's agent, Jeff Austin, since July 1. They have met in Las Vegas, Memphis and briefly in Richmond, Va., where the Griz played a preseason game against the Washington Wizards.

 

Wallace would not characterize their most recent talks, and it is not known where each side stands with regard to total compensation.

 

"We've had our discussions. We'll have more with two weeks left to see if there is any common ground," Wallace said. "I don't want to put any measurement on it. We've had periodic discussions through the summer. But you either have a deal or you don't.

 

"Things can break at any time. Take Allen Iverson. Early in the summer it wasn't very likely we'd sign him and we eventually did. Every negotiation, whether it's small or large in nature, sort of takes a course of its own."

 

Gay, 23, is entering his fourth season with the Grizzlies. His rookie contract can be extended up to five years. If a deal isn't reached by midnight Oct. 31, Gay would become a restricted free agent July 1. Other teams could tender Gay an offer sheet, but the Grizzlies would have the right to match any deal.

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/16/griz-gay-talking-no-deal/

 

If no deal is reached, trade him for a shooter that plays defense.