Memphis Grizzlies controlling owner Robert Pera defended his team’s trade of Rudy Gay.

The Grizzlies sent Gay to Toronto in a three-team trade in exchange for Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye and Ed Davis.

"Between Tayshuan’s winning pedigree, the league's best perimeter defense, and Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph returning back to the focal point of the offense; I believe we are a far more dangerous playoff team today," Pera wrote in an online chat with Grizzlies season ticket holders.

Pera said NBA history has proven teams can win titles without superstars, and he believes the Grizzlies can become the next example.

"This team was built for playoff basketball," Pera wrote. "In playoff basketball, getting defensive stops and creating high percentage scoring opportunities under pressure becomes much more important. ... And that is what this team can do best."