Rudy Gay (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could be one of the potential landing spot for Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay, who remains available in the trade market.
It seems the King and Rudy Gay are ready to part ways this season after the 30-year-old forward informed the team about his plans of exploring free agency next summer. With Gay confirming his next move, it would make sense for the Kings to trade him now than get nothing in return once he opts out of his contract.
However, the Kings won't likely get equal return for Gay, who will make roughly $13 million this season. While Gay has been a consistent contributor for the Kings in the past two seasons, teams would surely be cautious in trading for a one-year rental.
But according to Christian Rivas of Lake Show Life, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Lakers could be possible destination for Gay.
Gay would be an odd addition for the Lakers, who already have Luol Deng and Brandon Ingram playing at the small forward spot. But bringing in a versatile forward should not be a problem for LA, especially with Luke Walton likely to play a small-ball lineup.
But Gay's value is more than just an added depth at the wing for the Lakers.
Even if traded, Gay is still likely to opt out of his contract, with the salary cap set to rise again next year. This means the Lakers most probably get an expiring contract, giving them more cap flexibility to chase after the likes of Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in the summer of 2017.
In Rivas' trade scenario, the Lakers would send Nick Young and Lou Williams to the Kings for Gay. The Kings are paper thin at the backcourt after losing Rajon Rondo and Seth Curry via free agency. Darren Collison should start at the PG spot, but he has been ineffective for the Kings.
Williams and Young would add depth to the Kings' backcourt and bench unit. Young had a terrible stint last season, only averaging 7.3 points per game, while shooting 33.9 percent from the field. But he is still a capable scorer and outside threat if given quality minutes, and under Dave Joerger, Swaggy P should see himself useful.
Williams would also be a tremendous boost for the Kings offensively. The former "Sixth Man of the Year" still managed to post solid numbers for the Lakers' dismal campaign last season, averaging 15.3 points per game off the bench, while shooting 40.8 percent from the field.
It is unclear whether the Lakers are willing to let go of Williams, but exploring such deal would allow the Lakers to move on from Young. Trading for Gay may not give the Lakers too many wins this season, but it is a strategic move worth considering.
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