Rudy Gay (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks may consider dealing for Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay, with Khris Middleton set to be sidelined for a lengthy time due to a hamstring injury suffered in preseason workouts.
The Bucks will be without Khris Middleton for six months after the 25-year-old forward suffered a hamstring injury that will require surgery, according to Bucks general manager John Hammond. Dan Feldman of NBC Sports noted that a six month injury would likely keep Middleton out for 70 games, which is nearly all of an 82-game season.
Middleton posted career-high averages for the Bucks last season, averaging 18.2 points and 4.2 assists per game. Middleton's absence would not only leave the Bucks a gaping hole at the small forward spot, but also devoid them of a versatile wing who can defend multiple positions.
In light of Middleton's unfortunate injury, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical claimed the Bucks are calling out teams to "inquire about wing deal to compensate for Middleton loss."
Re: @ShamsCharania report, Bucks making calls today to inquire about wing deal to compensate for Middleton loss, sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) September 21, 2016
This would be a logical move for Milwaukee as Giannis Antetokounmpo, the only other capable player the Bucks have to fill in at the wing, is positioned at the PG spot.
If the Bucks truly intend to add a quality wing, Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay could be the right piece at the right time.
Gay has announced that he will opt out of his contract with the Kings next season, which may pressure Sacramento to deal the 30-year-old forward now than get nothing in return next summer. Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee believes the Kings should trade Gay before the start of the season even getting lower value in return.
"Entertaining offers for Gay and trading him before the season begins must remain a top priority, even though the team probably will not receive equal value because buyers are invariably nervous about one-year rentals," Voisin wrote.
This could bode well for the Bucks, who are looking for a quality replacement for Middleton. Gay is also a versatile forward who can create his own shots and cover multiple positions. Gay may not be as effective shooting from the three-point area, but his 46.3 percent shooting from the field would suffice any of the void Middleton is about to leave.
Trading for Gay would mean the Bucks have to give up a player of value, and fortunately for Milwaukee, they have Greg Monroe to unload from their roster.
Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times claimed that the Bucks have "accelerated their attempts to trade Monroe this summer," and such deal could still be on the table "even if they couldn't get fair market value for the big man."
Monroe was never a fit with the Bucks and their recent additions this summer suggest the 26-year-old may still be an odd piece in their roster. But Monroe is still capable of helping a team if it would suit his inside game. However, the Kings may not be intrigued of trading Gay for Monroe as they already have a stacked frontcourt led by DeMarcus Cousins.
It is unclear whether the Bucks have suddenly developed an interest to acquire Gay, but they seem to be on the same page with the Kings in terms of unloading one of their key players. A straight swap is highly unlikely to work, but if they could manage to include a third team like the Pacers, who could use another scoring big man, that should do the trick.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
