Indeed, the Raptors may have somehow gotten an even return in the deal to alleviate their mistake. It was possible, though, and it has happened.
Even in spite of how recently he had arrived, it was clear that he had to go. Arguably always surplus to requirements, Gay subsequently became extremely surplus to requirements, and at an enormous price tag. DeRozan in fact looks noticeably improved thus far this season and has ultimately ended up being the one who surpassed Gay.
Meanwhile, DeRozan and Gay did not mesh at all. Bargnani regressed to the point he became toxic, Lowry struggled, the team failed to find cohesiveness and defense. The sheer infusion of talent he represented would make it worthwhile. And even though he didn't fit on paper alongside Derozan and Andrea Bargnani, the defense and rebounding of Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, Amir Johnson and Landry Fields would offset it, as would the shooting of Terrence Ross. He would be the infusion of pure talent that they lacked. In theory, Gay would supersede DeMar DeRozan as the primary wing scorer, providing the isolation scoring from the wing that the team needed.
Gay was available for cheap and was supposed to be a significant upgrade over any of the players sent out to acquire him. The Toronto Raptors and Bryan Colangelo brought in Rudy Gay in February as a last-ditch effort to save several years of maneuvering that hadn't been going so well.
