![rudy gay kings jumping rudy gay kings jumping](https://www.si.com/.image/ar_1:1%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1200/MTY4MTk4NjcwMzkwNzMyNjcz/rudy-gay-kings-guard-lost-weight.jpg)
The revolving door of head coaches didn’t make things easy on Gay, either. The problem was that the Kings weren’t getting any better, and Gay wasn’t blameless in that.įor as talented as a scorer as Gay was, particularly in isolation, he’d often get too comfortable with the ball in his hands, which is just a nice way of saying he didn’t pass the ball. Gay followed that season up with an equally impressive second season, where he averaged 21.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a steal. In other words, he was everything but what Kings fans expected him to be. In 55 appearances for the Kings in the 2012-13 season, Gay averaged 20.1 points per game on 48.8% shooting from the field, in additions to 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images In hindsight, though, the trade was an absolute steal for the Kings.
![rudy gay kings jumping rudy gay kings jumping](https://wallpapercave.com/wp/wp2522912.jpg)
Gay was traded to Toronto in a similar salary dump not even a year prior to that, so it wasn’t like the Kings were getting a player that had much value around the league. Sacramento also received Aaron Gray and Quincy Acy. The Raptors sold low on Gay, and traded him to the Kings for the expiring contracts of John Salmons, Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. For the money he made at the time, it didn’t cut it. Meanwhile, Gay was struggling to find his footing in Toronto, where he averaged 19.4 points on 38.8% shooting from the field through 18 games in the 2012-13 season. Prior to trading for Gay, the Kings were in need of help on the wing, and in need of another starting-caliber player to put alongside Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins. Even if the Kings were interested in Josh McRoberts, his 2016-17 salary leaves you only at a $5.8 million starting point for a trade.Rudy Gay and the Sacramento Kings found each other at the perfect time.
![rudy gay kings jumping rudy gay kings jumping](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MTk2OTk2OTYxMDg1MzEz/kings-rudy-gay-contract-extension.jpg)
![rudy gay kings jumping rudy gay kings jumping](https://nbaobserver.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/rudy-iso-la.jpg)
Working with that math and those limitations, it is difficult to build any package at the moment that doesn't include Goran Dragic. But even then, the Heat would have to send something close to Gay's $13.3 million salary back to the Kings, a figure than cannot include any player signed this offseason (such deals are prohibited until Dec. So why have someone step in front of Winslow? Now, if the Heat know/learn that Chris Bosh won't be able to play this season, and therefore potentially have to move Winslow to power forward, then the possibility of Gay could become somewhat more realistic. But, beyond that, Pat Riley said that he envisions Justise Winslow as the Heat's starting small forward going forward. In other words, the Heat likely would want Gay to agree to bypass his option year before any deal is made. After attempting to hold the line on negotiations beyond this year, it is unlikely the Heat would want to jump into such an amount beyond next season. First, while Gay can get out of his contract after earning $13.3 million this season, he also holds a player option for $14.3 million in 2017-18. MIAMI - Q: Does Rudy Gay strike you as a good fit in Miami? - Brian.Ī: There are a couple of impacting issues in place regarding a potential trade with the Kings.