Updated - Should The Toronto Raptors Make A Push For Rudy Gay? (Poll)

Rudy Gay as a Toronto Raptor.

It sounds good. It gets you (somewhat) excited when you think about it. On paper, it's quite the sight to be sure.

However, once you unravel all of its layers, all you're really left with is a big pile of doubt and uncertainty. We're talking about a Rafael Araujo-sized pile here.

Writer Zach Lowe got fans all a-chatter with his latest piece for Grantland in which he listed the Raps as one of "seven potential candidates" for the services of one Rudy Gay. It got people talking. It stirred creative juices. It made some Raptor fans sit and ponder what it would be like to see Rudy dawn the red and white for the team.

On a good night, Rudy Gay is a borderline all-star (he's never actually made the team though) in this league. Over his seven-year career, Gay has averaged 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game.

His shooting numbers have taken quite the hit in 2012-13. Rudy is only shooting 41.7% from the field, which is the lowest for his career. In fact, during the Grizzlies 113-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings last night, Gay nailed just 2 of his 10 shot attempts to finish with a lackluster eight points.

There in lies the reason why Rudy has become expendable to Memphis. The team is finding ways to win without him being overly effective with his shot. The Grizzlies currently find themselves fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 21-10.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Even in an off year, Rudy Gay could come to Toronto and (arguably) be the best player on the team. It's hard to really dispute that.

That contract sure is a killer though. Gay is in the third year of a $82,302,688 deal that would pay him roughly $18 million next season and over $19 million the following year if he picks up his player option.

Let's face facts. If the Raptors could somehow unload Andrea Bargnani on Memphis to get themselves Gay, 95% of you would immediately jump on whatever social media you're on, and praise Bryan Colangelo for redeeming himself in your eyes for not taking Rudy Gay back in the 2006 NBA Draft in the first place.

Well, that's not going to happen. At least, it shouldn't.

The Grizzlies aren't going to pay "Il Mago" another $22 million dollars after this season to be their third-string big man behind Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. It's just not happening. Shedding salary is the name of the game.

So what exactly can we offer Memphis that would legitimately entice them enough to send Gay packing north of the border?

Jose Calderon? That's a good start. Nothing like a good expiring contract and top-notch backup point guard to sweeten the pot.

How about DeMar DeRozan?

That's where things get a little iffy.

Joseph Casciaro of thescore.com brought up in a recent article how after four seasons in the NBA, DeMar and Rudy are pretty much identical, stats-wise.

Why would Toronto give up such a similar talent in DeRozan for a guy who only offers a slight increase in production? It should also be noted that DeMar has taken tremendous strides this season towards improving his overall game and being a true leader on this team while Rudy has shown little to no improvement over the past five seasons.

I suppose in order to get something, you must give something up. If the Raptors feel Gay can get them over the hump in the East at the expense of trading DeRozan, then so be it.

Terrence Ross? If management feels that Ross has all-star caliber upside, then they shouldn't include him. The sky is truly the limit for Terrence. It would be heartbreaking to see him be sent to Memphis, only to blow up and become a huge star. The jury is still out. I wouldn't risk it, but that's just me.

Realistically, Toronto may not have enough to sway them. A third team could easily find themselves involved in a potential move, if one were to actually happen that is.

Again, all of this is in hindsight. For all intensive purposes, Gay could remain with the Grizzlies beyond the trade deadline in February and all of this would be for nothing.

Still, it's a great topic of discussion. Nothing adds fuel to the fire quite like a good trade rumour.

So what works for you? Would you mind seeing Rudy Gay get dealt to the Toronto Raptors? What would you be willing to give up? Who is untouchable?

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UPDATE:

It now sounds like the Raptors are pushing hard for Gay. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported late last night that the Raps have made it known to the Grizzlies that they remain seriously interested in acquiring the wingman, a player they've been keeping their eye on for some time.

Not a ton of details on how this would transpire but Stein mentions Jose Calderon and Ed Davis, in addition to draft considerations, as the pieces the Dinos are potentially considering moving in order to secure Rudy Gay.

A "Davis-and-Calderon-for-Gay" deal works under the NBA's CBA rules, but you'd have to imagine there would be more involved on both sides to make the final numbers work out.