Rudy Gay and Patrick Beverley (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets are rumored to be the most interested team in trading for Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay, who is likely becoming the odd man out in Sac-town.
The Rockets have made significant changes to their roster this offseason, but may still be looking for another piece that could help them to a strong run this season. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, one of the players the Rockets are considering is Rudy Gay, who remains available in the trade market.
Not the sense I have gotten. Rockets were the ones I heard were most interested. https://t.co/aTWYe1X25U
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) July 26, 2016
Bringing in Gay, who averaged 17.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the Kings, should help the Rockets fully embrace Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense and would give the Rockets another threat on the offensive end.
Gay's ability to defend multiple positions would also inject a much-needed defense on the wing spot and could slide in as a stretch four when deploying a small-ball lineup.
While trading for Gay would give the Rockets depth at the small forward spot, trading for him would likely cost a piece of their own rotational players at the said position. Pairing Gay with Trevor Ariza would create a lethal combination of offense and defense at the wing, which means any potential deal may not include the latter.
According to Yoni Pollak of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, one of the pieces the Rockets could send to Sacramento is Corey Brewer.
"Trading for Gay shouldn't be difficult with his value so low. Teams know Gay wants out of Sacramento so it shouldn't be hard for the Rockets to pry him away. Corey Brewer would likely be one of a few pieces headed to Sacramento in such a deal," Pollak wrote.
Brewer alone may not entice the Kings to give up Gay, especially for a player who has been inconsistent in the past season. But if the Rockets interest to add Gay is genuine, they could include Patrick Beverley to sweeten up the pot, forming a deal that works on ESPN's trade machine.
The Kings are in need of a quality point guard following the departure of Rajon Rondo and Seth Curry. Beverley's numbers playing alongside James Harden were very limited, averaging only 3.4 assists per game. But playing with a more fluid ball movement under Dave Joerger may increase Beverley's value as a true point guard.
It is unclear whether the Rockets are willing to give up their seasoned point guard, but with Gary Payton II on board, he could be available for a Rudy Gay deal.
