2018 NBA free agency grades: Spurs to re-sign Rudy Gay

With a potential Kawhi Leonard trade looming, the San Antonio Spurs decided to retain Rudy Gay. Let’s look at the contract details and grade the deal.

The San Antonio Spurs find themselves in a position that every NBA franchise experiences at some point, but tries at all costs to avoid.

After a controversial and injury-plagued season in 2017-18, superstar forward Kawhi Leonard informed the team that he wants out of San Antonio. Spurs fans had hoped all season that the team could make amends with their star player, but speculation over the seriousness of his injury, and controversial comments made by fellow teammates pushed Leonard to request a trade.

With the presumed trade for Kawhi Leonard coming in the near future, the organization found itself in dire need of wing player at the 3-spot.

The Spurs wasted no time addressing the issue in 2018 NBA free agency. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania, San Antonio agreed to sign Rudy Gay to a one-year deal worth $10 million.

While it’s understandable why the organization rushed to make this deal, the decision doesn’t come without cause for concern. Gay suffered through a myriad of injuries last season, and was only available for 57 games. For the first time in his career, he only started six games throughout the season.

Consequently, his production levels were at or near career lows. In his first year in San Antonio, he averaged only 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game. These were his lowest totals in points and rebounds since his 2006-07 rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, and the lowest minutes per game in his career.

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The argument can be made that his low production last season was due to injuries, and it’s a valid point. However, what’s more concerning is an injury he suffered in the 2016-17 season.

In January 2017, Gay tore his left Achilles tendon, an injury that often spells doom for the career of an NBA player. According to a 2013 study by The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 39 percent of players who suffered a major Achilles injury never returned to the NBA. Players who did return experienced a drop in their Player Efficiency Rating their first two seasons.

Though his regular season statistics were subpar, he was able to contribute during the playoffs. Through five games, four of which he started, Gay averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 32 minutes per game. His scoring average was down, but his rebound and assist numbers were consistent with his career averages.

Due to the Leonard saga, the Spurs weren’t left with much of a choice regarding this deal. They have limited cap flexibility, and due to the immediate need of a proven wing player, San Antonio couldn’t wait for a trade involving Leonard to materialize to acquire one.

The Spurs made a smart decision with the length of the contract. Signing Gay to a one-year deal gives them a season to evaluate his progress, and determine if he can return to form. The hope is he can come closer to his career averages of 17.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. History tells us this is unlikely to happen. However, San Antonio was in a situation where it was forced to play the hand it was dealt.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Grade: B-