Blockbuster Trade: Rudy Gay is traded to the Toronto Raptors for Ed Davis and Jose Calderon

Jan 28, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay (22) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Evan Turner (12) during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

About an hour ago ESPN’s Marc Stein broke the story that the deal that the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors have reached an agreement that would send Gay, center Hamed Haddadi–who will likely be bought out–and a second round pick to Toronto and Jose Calderon to Memphis along with high-potential forward Ed Davis.For a second round pick as well.

Stein also reports that as Calderon comes to Memphis, he will be shipped out again to the Detroit Pistons who would send Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye back to Memphis.

The Grizzlies obviously achieve their goal of shedding some cap space here by bringing in two forwards who are still on their rookie deals and a forward who’s experienced. Prince may be a little overpaid–his contract is worth just over $21 million over the next three years–but its still not as much as Gay’s deal. In essence, they brought in three players for the same amount that Gay was to be paid this season.

The Pistions have shipped out two forwards who weren’t going to be apart of their future plans. Tayshaun Prince’s stay in Detroit was over a few years ago and Austin Daye was just a prospect who hadn’t panned out. Now, they’ll get an experience point guard to mentor Brandon Knight as he continues to grow in the league and bring in someone who will provide them with some production in that same token.

The Raptors get their borderline star player who’s having a down year, but still can provide defensively. I expect them to become one of the better defensive teams in the NBA with a starting lineup of Kyle Lowry, Demar Derozan, Rudy Gay, Amir Johnson, and Jonas Valanciunas.

For the Celtics this trade is huge. Memphis–who was said to be a big player in the market for Paul Pierce–is now out of that market officially finally moving Rudy Gay’s salary. It wouldn’t make any sense for them to move any players for Pierce’s salary or for his production this season.

It moves Jose Calderon out of the picture for a possible point guard to replace Rajon Rondo and that, in essence, also removes Kyle Lowry from the conversation also because the Raptors aren’t going to part ways with both of their point guards. They, too, also are out of the market for Pierce with Rudy Gay on their team as well.

So all of the Celtics/Raptors, Celtics/Grizzlies can be thrown in the trashcan. Take it how you want it, folks.