The Sacramento Kings could send Rudy Gay back to the Memphis Grizzlies, with the small forward reportedly demanding a trade from Sac-town.
ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Kings are shopping a handful of their players, including Gay, who agreed to a three-year contract extension after being acquired from the Toronto Raptors two years ago. But interestingly, it seems Gay also wants to get traded, with the versatile forward requesting to be moved, according to Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.
With plenty of teams gearing up for the next season and free agency already dried up, the Kings won't be in short of suitors for the 29-year-old forward. Likewise, the Kings are also looking to add players who could help them keep DeMarcus Cousins happy in Sacramento.
According to Maxwell Ogden of Hoops Habit, the Kings could explore a trade that would send Gay back to Memphis, where the small forward played the first six seasons of his NBA career.
"Yes, I know; Rudy Gay has already played for the Memphis Grizzlies, and they didn't win a championship back then. Memphis' core is in dire need of an athletic slashing scorer, however, and Gay undeniably fits the bill," Ogden wrote.
"If the Grizzlies can bring Gay back without giving up its core four-Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen-then they should."
Gay was one of the key players in the Grizzlies success as a team during his stint from 2006-2012. While his stay with the franchise did not produce any championship for Memphis, Gay has established himself as an All-Star, averaging a combined total of 18.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
With the team's Grit and Grind lineup still intact, adding Gay would give the Grizzlies a lethal combination of defense and offense. Gay is a reliable scorer at the wing, and also a respectable defender, fitting seamlessly in the team's identity.
Ogden noted that the Kings have been a fan of Wade Baldwin IV, and could create a package centered at the rookie point guard. After the Kings selected two big men in this year's draft, they could certainly use an additional talent in the backcourt area.
It remains to be seen whether the Grizzlies would consider bringing back Gay, with Chandler Parsons already set to fill the wing. But it would be intriguing to see Gay wear a Grizzlies jersey again, only this time, his presence in Memphis would be more valuable than before.