Recent rumors have emerged that the Miami Heat is in discussions with the Sacramento Kings for the possibility of dealing veteran scorer Rudy Gay before the trade deadline as the team looks for wing help in the second half of the season.
Miami, now fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 29-23 record, currently utilizes Chris Bosh and Luol Deng as their starting forwards this season. While Bosh has been his usual productive self, Deng is not, which makes the Heat search for potential reinforcement at the small forward spot.
Deng's primary backup at the three is rookie Justise Winslow, who is doing a fair job at it but not quite by Pat Riley's standards.
Fansided reported that the Heat has "a number of assets that could be tasty for the right trade partner" and the team is said to be hoping that the Kings are interested in "some of those assets".
The report continued, citing ESPN's Mike Wallace and Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler, that Miami is in talks with a Pacific Division team in a deal that "would improve them on the wings" and Gay is supposed to be "at the center of those discussions".
It was noted, however, that the Heat is looking for a small forward that could shoot the three, presumably to be used for small-ball lineups, and Gay could somehow provide it to them as well as being a consistent scoring threat.
SB Nation indicated that Miami could possibly give up Deng and point guard Beno Udrih in exchange for Gay as both players have expiring contracts that Sacramento could take advantage of this summer.
The two players could also "make an impact" for George Karl this season as they may just need a change in environment to do just that.
Gay is averaging 17.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 33.6 minutes a night in 44 games this season. Those numbers could certainly complement Bosh and Dwayne Wade, especially in the offensive end, as they need a third option in scoring to take some of the opponents' defense off the two All-Stars.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Kings are ready to let go of Gay at this point. Even if the 29-year-old is currently struggling with minor injuries, he is still arguably the second best player in the squad.