Rudy Gay's name being in trade rumors have come to an end with the Memphis Grizzlies sending him to the Toronto Raptors in a money-motivated decision.
The Grizzlies agreed to trade their star swingman to the Raptors on Wednesday, parting with the leading scorer on a team that has aspirations of making a run in the powerful Western Conference.
The Raptors gave up point guard Jose Calderon and forward Ed Davis in the deal that also included Grizzlies backup center Hamed Haddadi, and Memphis then shipped Calderon to Detroit for Austin Daye and Tayshaun Prince.
The moves surprised many around the league, including Calderon and Prince.
"It's been my home for eight years," Calderon said in Atlanta, shortly before leaving the arena. "I've done everything possible for this team. It's tough. The fans have been with me since Day 1. It's tough."
The franchise's best postseason run came when Gay was injured two seasons ago, with an upset of top-seeded San Antonio and then a thrilling seven-game Western Conference semifinal series against Oklahoma City.
All-Star power forward Zach Randolph said he believes the Grizzlies "still are a contender." Before dealing away Gay and backup center Hamed Haddadi, Memphis traded reserves Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington and Josh Selby to Cleveland.
Gay, averaging 17.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, signed a five-year, $82 million maximum contract in July 2010 with Memphis. He's due $16.5 million this season with $37 million more over the next two years.
Watch Rudy Gay's first press conference with the Toronto Raptors, click here.
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