MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Will he stay or will he go? The Rudy Gay rumors are in overdrive. Gay's pricy Memphis Grizzlies salary make him a prime target, but with this year's team winning games and the hearts of fans, the Grizz losing Rudy isn't sitting well with many.
"I think he is important to the team because he contributes every night. There are very few times that he does not contribute, " said Barbara Canterberry, a longtime Grizz fan attending her first game at FedExForum.
"I think the night that he had to miss because of the night he couldn't get back into Memphis, I think they would have won the game had he been here," she added.
Originally drafted by the Houston Rockets, Gay was traded to the Grizz. Every game he's played, all 477 of them, has been as a Grizzly.
"He is good because he hits 3 pointers," said Ethan Hargrove, 6, before attending Friday night's game against the rival San Antonio Spurs.
"As a Spurs fan? Absolutely, get him out of there. It would help us tremendously," said Phillip Torres, a longtime Spurs fan.
Gay's large salary - he's owed approximately $37 million over this season and next - has fueled speculation the small-market Grizz might be forced to trade the superstar.
"I don't want to trade him, but money talks," said Wyatt Woodson.
Money talks, but these trade talks could go on for quite a while. The NBA trade deadline isn't until February 21st.
