Rudy Gay (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder could swap Cameron Payne for Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay in a deal that could be worth considering for both teams.
The Thunder have been rumored as a potential destination for Gay, who could be a likely trade candidate for the Kings before the deadline. ESPN's Zach Lowe reported that OKC remains interested in Gay as the team looks to add "bigger wings."
"They remain interested in bigger wings, including Rudy Gay, sources say, in part because such a player would slide everyone down to their intended spots: Oladipo to the bench, and Andre Roberson back to defending shooting guards," Lowe wrote.
Gay, who has announced his intentions to explore free agency next year, could fill the role left by Kevin Durant and help the Thunder push for a serious run at the playoffs. The 30-year-old small forward is a capable scorer and would help the Thunder in many ways offensively, while also providing excellent perimeter defense.
With the Kings looking for a reliable playmaker, trading for Gay would require the Thunder to give up one of their point guards. Fox Sports NBA analysts have determined Cameron Payne as a trade chip for Gay, insisting that a deal would be "well worth it for both teams."
Payne has yet to appear in a regular season game for Thunder this season, but the former 14th overall pick has proven he could play as an essential role off the OKC's bench. The 22-year-old point guard, who averages 5.0 points per game in his rookie year with the Thunder, would give the Kings a young playmaker who could develop well playing alongside the team's core of young big men and Dave Joerger's schemes.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported during the offseason that the Kings were looking to package Gay to Oklahoma City for Payne, but talks were halted after the second-year point guard broke his foot in September.
There is still no time-table for Payne's return, but reports from SB Nation claimed that he could return in a month's time. Once Payne returns from injury, expect the Kings to revisit trade talks involving Gay.
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