Would like to do a preview for tonight’s game but don’t have time on a paper-production Monday, so some quick takes on Griz issues du jour:
Rudy’s Extension: The Grizzlies and Rudy Gay have until midnight tonight to agree to a contract extension and have made some progress according to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski:
Gay, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been seeking an extension comparable to the five-year, $60 million deal the Indiana Pacers gave Danny Granger(notes) last year. Memphis has offered $50 million over five years in recent days, sources said, but will still need to close the gap before the NBA’s deadline on Monday.
One league source says a shorter contract — three years for $33 million-$36 million — has also been discussed with Gay’s reps from Octagon.
My take: If the Grizzlies are offering 5 years and $50 million, Gay should snatch it up. I think that’s a little too rich for what he’s proven. Anything beyond that is silly. I like Gay, but he needs to upgrade his defense and integrate his offense into the team context a little better before he’ll be worth a contract averaging eight figures per year.
