The NBA trade rumors continue for the Sacramento Kings as they have yet to find a good return for Rudy Gay.
The former Team USA stalwart has been on the trading block since June although the Kings tried to swap him before the deadline. The team seems intent on trading him before the season starts and this is one of the reasons that the Kings could not get fair value.
But sooner or later, a team will really need what Gay can offer. It is not known whether the Kings had serious suitors and just how firm they will stand on Gay. Will they hold on to Gay until they get what they want or will they take pennies on the dollar for him as they might see him as a "cancer" on the locker room?
Pundits observing the situation conclude that the position the Kings need to fill is point guard. The New Orleans Pelicans is a team that could use Rudy Gay and they have two trade chips they can dangle.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, one of Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans may be out of the New Orleans Pelicans roster before the trade deadline.
"Both Holiday and Evans are entering the final year of their respective contracts, and it's a safe bet that one or both players aren't back next season. The guard spots are absolutely something to watch in New Orleans. The Pelicans seem like they are open to ideas," Kyler wrote.
Kyler noted that Holiday appears to be the better option but his injury history is spotty to say the least. Holiday has only played 139 games in three seasons for the Pelicans. Evans is a former Sacramento King and it is unknown how receptive the franchise is on acquiring him again.
With both players due to enter free agency, Kyler reminds that the Pelicans got nothing in return for Ryan Anderson who left this summer in free agency. They should not make the same mistake again.
Also, Anderson was the Pelicans' stretch four, not to mention their best scoring option outside of Anthony Davis. While Gay's defense is questionable, he still contributed a solid 17 points/game last season.
Sports Illustrated team site The Pelican Debrief noted that the Pelicans had new acquisitions Solomon Hill and Terrence Jones but can they really make up what Anderson brought to the table?
Even Gay could not do that, as he is not proficient from the three point line, but "he still can be quite serviceable in a role that allows him to finish at the rim. His athleticism is a plus on fast breaks and pushing the ball up the floor."
Rudy Gay to the Pelicans is a deal that could be on the horizon and it's possible that both sides being active on the trading block have already discussed this in theory.