The Sacramento Kings are reportedly interested in trading Rudy Gay. Which of the NBA’s contending teams should should pursue a deal for Gay?
The Sacramento Kings are the most unbelievable organization in the NBA. By that, of course, I mean to say that it’s become impossible to believe in the Kings as a legitimate threat to make the playoffs.
In an attempt to shake the core up, general manager Vlade Divac is considering a trade that could help Sacramento reload in a significant way.
DeMarcus Cousins has dominated the rumor mill in Sacramento, but he’s reportedly off the market. Instead, the Kings are looking to trade a player who’s a rung below Cousins on the team’s totem pole.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Kings are looking to trade Rudy Gay in the near future.
Kosta Koufos, Ben McLemore and, of course, Rudy Gay are three Sacramento Kings available via trade, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 8, 2016
Per Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee, the search for a trade is being orchestrated at Gay’s behest.
Kings attempting to trade Rudy Gay (per his request), but adamant that they have no interest in Monta Ellis.
— Ailene Voisin (@ailene_voisin) July 8, 2016
Chances are, Gay is going to be traded.
Gay, who will turn 30 on August 17, has been one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA since being traded to the Kings in 2013-14. He averaged 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals on 48.2 percent shooting in the 55 games following the trade.
Despite those impressive numbers, many believed that Gay was still a volume shooter who’d merely found a 55-game stretch of success.
Over the past two seasons, he’s verified the legitimacy of his rise to efficiency. In the face of doubt, he’s averaged 19.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 3-point field goals made on a slash line of .459/.352/.827.
The question is, which team should trade for Gay and his $14,263,566 2017-18 player option?
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