Brooklyn Nets trade Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks, 2016 first-round pick (lottery-protected through 2018, unprotected in 2019), $2 million to Memphis Grizzlies;
Brooklyn Nets trade Mirza Teletovic to Minnesota Timberwolves;
Minnesota Timberwolves trade Derrick Williams to Memphis Grizzlies;
Memphis Grizzlies trade Rudy Gay to Brooklyn Nets
It’s no secret that Rudy Gay is on the trading block. It’s no secret that the Grizzlies are looking for a small forward, cash, and a draft pick in return. It’s no secret that Billy King orchestrates multi-team deals in front of the fireplace instead of spending time with his loved ones (ed. note: conjecture). Put it all together, and you have a multi-team deal fit for a Billy.
Brooklyn Nets fans are enamored with Gerald Wallace — it’s hard not to become enamored with his all-out brand of basketball — but Gay is a great scorer, a good defender, and would instantly be the most athletic player on this team by miles. He’s an upgrade. The Grizzlies may be able to pick up better packages for Gay, but if they’re truly intent on trading him — as it seems they are — it’d behoove the Nets to make the phone call.
From the Timberwolves’ perspective, there’s no question that Derrick Williams can be had, and the Timberwolves currently rank last in the NBA in three-point shooting; collectively, they’re shooting 29.7% from behind the arc. Teletovic hasn’t been much better this year, but has started to find his shooting stroke after a rough entrance into NBA basketball. With Kevin Love again needing surgery, Teletovic will help mitigate that gap and space the floor around Nikola Pekovic.
(As for the fact that Williams has been the Timberwolves’ best three-point shooter this year, well… don’t tell David Kahn.)
-Devin Kharpertian
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