Would an Andre Iguodala for Rudy Gay trade work for both teams?

[Basel]

Been reading some rumors that there's a chance we see a trade between the Sixers and Grizzlies this summer involving these two. Who do you guys think is the better player? And would either team benefit from it or would it be better to keep each of their stars?

[Sleepepro]

they play the same positions and are worth roughly the same, I don't see the point in the trade for memphis except for the shorter contract

[hobojoe]

Grizzlies shouldn't do it. Gay is their go to guy when they need a bucket, or they need to isolate and score at the end of a quarter or game, especially with Randolph being injured last year and not really recovering. Iguodala does more things on a basketball court, but he's not as good at the one thing the Grizzlies value most from Gay.

[RollWithEm]

The Grizzlies with Iguodala would be so scary defensively. There would not be a team in the league better suited to beat the Thunder or the Heat. For that reason alone, I think they would do it. Would Philly do it? Hmmm... I don't know. I guess they would. Depends on who's still on that roster after this offseason.

[BlakeJesus]

Iggy gives them better defense and better ballmovement, and Iggy seems more like a leader than Gay. Sixers get a potent scorer and the freedom to let Evan Turner be who he is. It does honestly make a lot of sense both ways.

[Dre]

Sixers would love that, provided losing Igoudala doesn't totally deprive them of their energetic defensive edge, because that's their identity and what allows them to overachieve

Grizzlies have no business doing that. I don't see why you need Igoudala over Gay especially when you have Tony Allen. They do that and they have noone on the wing that you can hand the ball to and have them create a shot or convert a broken play.

[MemphisX]

Gay is anti-ball movement. Zach Randolph, not Gay, is who the Grizzlies isolate for late baskets. Gay has hit some game winners but the Grizz need another ball handler/distributor. IMO Iggy is a better option to create anyway. Getting out of the Gay contract is an added bonus.

[King Sancho Fantastic]

Man...throw Iggy on Bron and Tony Allen on Wade and watch Gasol and Randolph massacre the Heat front court. That would be fun as hell to watch.

[Luke]

I think it actually makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Philly desperately needs a go to scorer, and Gay would be able to fill that role. And, with the loss of Iggy, Evan Turner would be forced into more ball handling situations and would have a better chance of reaching the level that he is capable of.

As for Memphis, a defensive unit led by Iggy/Allen is probably the best in the league, and would help them match up really well against Miami and Oklahoma City.

[RollWithEm]

Originally Posted by Luke

a defensive unit led by Iggy/Allen is probably the best in the league, and would help them match up really well against Miami and Oklahoma City.

If for no other reason, this is why I think Memphis has to do this if they get the chance.

[Luke]

I agree. Memphis would immediately become a very potent kryptonite to Miami and Oklahoma City's formula and I don't know if the talent gap could overcome the matchup differential.

Can you imagine LeBron/Wade or Durant/Westbrook (or Harden) trying to score on Tony and Andre? They're arguably the two best perimeter defenders in the world right now. And the fact that Memphis has a competent point guard (big edge against Miami) and a frontline that would decimate either Miami or OKC's, and the NBA gets a whole lot more interesting. People always talk about the Grizzlies as a dark horse, with this move they could become real contenders.

[Luke]

Of course, all of this Memphis speculation is based on the assumption the Zach Randolph can get back to a similar level that he was playing at during last year's run.

[RollWithEm]

VP and I are on the same page today on these trade scenarios. Memphis would be lockdown nasty defensively with this move. Assuming they keep Speights and Arthur comes back healthy, they would have possibly the deepest front court in basketball. I would of course prefer OJ not have to be the primary ball-handler off the bench. Maybe Marquis Teague falls to them at 25?

[kbdullah]

The Grizzlies need a shooter to spread the floor for Zach and Mark. Iguodala wouldn't address that. I don't think it's coincidence that they played better last year w/ Battier even though he's a considerably lesser talent. Granger or Joe Johnson would be a better fit.

[hobojoe]

Originally Posted by Luke

Of course, all of this Memphis speculation is based on the assumption the Zach Randolph can get back to a similar level that he was playing at during last year's run.

That's what I'm saying, that's a heck of an assumption IMO. That's why Memphis needs to hang onto Gay.