Rudy Gay (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay may appear as a potential trade target for the Brooklyn Nets, with the team still lacking talent heading into the regular season.
The Nets have made significant moves this offseason, highlighted by the signing of Jeremy Lin and a handful of veterans. However, the Nets still lack a talented veteran who could help in the team have a better campaign this season and emerge as a consistent contributor night in and night out.
According to Tyler Dencker of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, one possible option the Nets could consider is Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay, who is increasingly likely to get dealt this offseason.
"From the Nets perspective, going after Gay is a no-brainer," Dencker wrote. "While age is concern with Rudy Gay, as he is approaching the age of 30, he's still playing solid basketball."
"Again, the most important thing is that Rudy Gay would certainly provide the talent that the Nets are lacking."
Gay, who averaged 17.2 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Kings last season, would provide the Nets a consistent scorer who could become a top or second option on a nightly basis. Bringing in Gay also gives the Nets depth at the small forward position, wherein he could serve as mentor to Rondae-Hollis Jefferson.
With $17.7 million in cap space, Brooklyn has plenty of room to absorb Gay's remaining contract, but has less tradable assets to give up if the Kings would want something significant in return. The Kings have a glaring need to fill the point guard spot, which means the likes of Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan could be in the mix for any potential deal for Gay.
It is also possible that the Nets involve a third-team to acquire Gay from Sacramento and, likewise, address the Kings' point guard issues. Enter Ricky Rubio and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In the trade scenario that works on ESPN's trade machine, the Kings send Gay to the Nets, while the Timberwolves receive Bojan Bogdanovic. Sacramento then receives Rubio from Minnesota, giving the Kings a bona fide playmaker.
Dealing for Gay could mean the Nets won't have to wait until midseason, but they may still monitor the trend of Gay's trade value by that time.
