Rudy Gay to Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo : Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
The latest NBA trade rumors involved Rudy Gay, a player that's definitely on the trading block. But which jersey will he be wearing at the start of the season?
Most likely not the Sacramento Kings. With the latest Lakers rumor, more teams are now in the mix. But one player is actually on the Kings' radar: Iman Shumpert.
The Kings have been pining for Shumpert since the trade deadline, as Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reported.
"Sacramento is also interested in acquiring Cleveland shooting guard Iman Shumpert, a good defender, but that would be contingent upon the Kings' willingness to part with third-year guard Ben McLemore and center Kosta Koufos."
All those players are now on the trading block but the Cavs could benefit from Rudy Gay's scoring ability and versatility. McLemore and Koufos are also useful to the Cavaliers, but they may have to add other assets to acquire them.
McLemore could replace Shumpert as the shooting guard especially since the JR Smith situation has yet to be resolved. The Cavs may have to add another draft pick or a back up player to the package for the salaries to fit.
If the Kings get Shumpert and Frye in exchange for players that they were already trying to trade, that would definitely be a much better package than what the Lakers were supposedly offering.
According to Lake Show Life, the Tinseltown team intended to send Nick Young and Lou Williams in exchange for Gay.
"A trade involving former Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams and Nick "Swaggy P" Young would do the trick, and it would actually make a ton of sense for the Kings."
They contend that Young and Williams could provide scoring off the bench for the Sacramento Kings. However, with Shumpert and Frye, the Kings could get possible starters. Frye's floor spacing capabilities could definitely complement DeMarcus Cousins inside presence while Shumpert is arguably the best defender among all of the guards in the Kings' current roster.
As the Cavs continue to struggle to acquire an A-list center, Koufos could fill the void. McLemore still has solid potential and if LeBron James managed to motivate JR Smith, he could light the fire for McLemore.
This trade or a variation of it may be in discussions between the two teams considering the Kings' desire for Shumpert. It may be up to the Cavs if they want to tinker with a championship team.
