NBA trade rumors: Are Bobcats 'aggressively' pursuing Rudy Gay?

The teams reportedly going after Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay continue to pile up. Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld reports that the Charlotte Bobcats are the latest team in on the Gay sweepstakes, and that they are "aggressively" pursuing the Grizzlies forward.

The Bobcats have shown interest in Gay before and have a young talent in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who the Grizzlies could find intriguing as the centerpiece of a trade package. However, Ben Swanson of SB Nation's Bobcats blog Rufus on Fire sees very little reason to try and make a Gay trade happen:

If the rumors are true and the Bobcats are trying to get Rudy Gay in a two-team trade, one of two things would likely happen: the Bobcats deal Kidd-Gilchrist to Memphis or the Bobcats have to bench MKG to start Gay.

These things make no sense to me. To trade for Gay would handicap the team's roster flexibility (Gay is due about $54 million over the next three seasons). Then to either trade your promising young wing or stick him on the bench? I don't get it.

Charlotte does lack a true star player, but it's hard to argue right now that Gay actually fits that bill. The 26-year-old is averaging 17.6 points, a solid number sure, but also the lowest since his rookie season. Gay is also sporting career-low field goal and true shooting percentages, while having a career-high usage rate. Suffice to say he has not been the most efficient scorer this season. Throw in the fact that he's set to earn all that money over the next couple of years, and it could be quite foolish for the Bobcats to make such a move.

Swanson also sees no reason for the Grizzlies to deal with the Bobcats. If Memphis wants to make a move that sheds salary but also keeps them in strong contention in the Western Conference, dealing with Charlotte is not the way to go. Kidd-Gilchrist would be a nice piece and has played well so far in his rookie season, but the Grizzlies would likely want more value coming back, and the Bobcats do not have all that much to offer.

There are still no guarantees the Grizzlies, who are looking to possibly move Gay in order to avoid luxury tax payments now and in the future, will make a deal before the Feb. 21 deadline. Recent reports have said that Memphis is leaning toward keeping Gay throughout the remainder of this season, but would make a move if the right deal came along. A trade with the Bobcats is likely not that right deal.