The NBA trade rumors continue and the LA Clippers can strengthen their team and fill up their void. However, it might come at a hefty price.
One of their "glue guys" who has contributed immensely to their team chemistry is JJ Redick, but because of the salary cap woes and their free agent choices, the Clippers have no way to improve except by trading him or any of their Big Three.
The Sacramento Kings have officially placed Rudy Gay on the block according to Marc Stein of ESPN.
"Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay has emerged as one of the most established NBA veterans available via trade, according to league sources," Stein wrote. "Sources told ESPN that the Kings are actively seeking to move Gay as well as big man Kosta Koufos and guard Ben McLemore."
Gay would be a great fit for the Clippers because he gives them a scorer at the three spot-someone who can create his own shots. Gay can also challenge the opponents' wingmen and he is able to be a stretch four in small-ball situations.
The Clippers' recently re-signed their veterans at the shooting guard spot. Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford were given huge contracts and they cannot be traded until December.
During the Clippers pursuit of Kevin Durant, Redick was part of the possible package that they need to dispose in order to free up the cap space for Durant without losing any of the Big Three, as illustrated in the Orange County Register.
"To make the most competitive offer possible, the Clippers would have to trade J.J. Redick, Paul Pierce and C.J. Wilcox and renounce the rights to first-round pick Brice Johnson and all of their own free agents," wrote Danny Woike of OCR.
With the free agents signed, the Clips should just match the 13 million salary of Gay, and Redick along with Paul Pierce and possibly the rights to one of their rookies.
The Kings would like to get someone like Redick who could is a positive locker room presence-perhaps the Kings of all teams need that. But that's probably why the Clippers would hesitate on pulling the trigger. The Clippers could just ride out the season with their core but the prospect of adding Gay is always tempting.