Fitzgerald Cecilio

The Grizzlies, Raptors and Pistons concluded a six-player trade surrounding star forward Rudy Gay.

The Memphis Grizzlies sent Rudy Gay and Hamed Haddadi to the Raptors for Jose Calderon, forward Ed Davis and a second-round pick. It then routed Calderon to the Detroit Pistons for a package that includes forwards Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye.

Memphis coach Lionel Hollins had been lobbying to keep his five starters together the rest of this season.

Nonetheless, the Grizzlies had their best playoff run in 2011 when they knocked off then-No. 1 seed San Antonio with an injured Gay on the bench.

With Prince, the Grizzlies acquired a hard-nosed defender who is averaging 11.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season.

The deal allows Detroit to clears the final two years, $15 million left on Prince's deal, and moves nearly $25 million under the salary cap beginning with free agency in July.

The Pistons are now in the market for two young perimeter players to build around their promising young core of Greg Monroe, center Andre Drummond and guard Brandon Knight.

The Dallas Mavericks were also interested in acquiring Calderon but were not prepared to surrender swingman Vince Carter, whom Memphis coveted to help fill the void created by Gay's departure. Calderon will be a free agent this summer.

 

 

 

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Grizzlies Trade Forward Rudy Gay to Raptors