NBA Rumors: Sacramento Kings To Trade Rudy Gay To Bulls, Rockets Or Thunder

Rudy Gay is done with the Sacramento Kings. Gay will either be traded to the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder. The Chicago Bulls could also get involved if the Kings decide to trade Rudy Gay.

That is the latest of NBA rumors to gain some steam. NBA teams are getting ready for their training camps, and it appears will the Kings will get ready to welcome yet another new player to the fold.

Yibada is reporting that the Sacramento Kings will look to trade Rudy Gay before the start of the season. And his likely destination is the Rockets or Thunder.

Like all NBA rumors, this could change at any time. Rudy Gay could get moved by the Kings today, tomorrow, or he could begin the season in Sacramento. Things are altered by the minute. For now, it is a safe bet that the Sacramento Kings will trade Rudy Gay once they receive an offer to their liking.

The million dollar question is which team will make an offer worthy of the Kings liking.

Will the Rockets step up their offer?

Will the Thunder?

Will another team emerge as Rudy Gay’s landing place?

The Kings could decide to ignore all of the overtures they will receive for Rudy Gay. If so, they will have a scorer to help center DeMarcus Cousins with the offensive load as he has for three seasons.

Gay will be an important cog for whichever team adds him in a trade. His touch from the perimeter opens up space for the low-post players to roam. That is something the Kings can still use if they chose to. Rudy Gay wants to be traded according to ESPN, but he could also have a change of heart.

The odds of Rudy Gay getting traded will depend on what kind of team the Kings want to be this season.

If the Kings want to flirt with playoff contention they can stand pat, or go for the best offer on the table. But if Sacramento simply want to move on, they will take whichever offer they receive for Gay.

The Kings have to be mindful that Rudy Gay has a player option in his contract for next season. If Gay wants to get one more huge deal he will check out after the Kings are finished. Trading Gay now could fetch the Kings the best return possible.

If the Kings choose to deal with the Rockets the assets are minimal. Although, getting Patrick Beverly or Corey Brewer in return is a decent haul. It is a guarantee that the Rockets would have to include a draft pick to make a trade for Rudy Gay to come to fruition. CBS Sports has confirmed that the Kings and Rockets have had exploratory discussions about a Rudy Gay trade.

Both Beverly and Brewer are defensive-minded guards, who can make an occasional three-point shot. Each would help the Kings in a couple of different ways.

The Oklahoma City Thunder can offer the Kings a better package than the Rockets.

A trade where the Thunder includes Ersan Ilyasova and Andre Robertson is strong enough to entice the Kings to part with Rudy Gay.

Ersan Ilyasova is an unheralded player. He has been underutilized at every stop. A team like the Sacramento Kings could use his ability to stretch a defense and crash the boards.

Robertson is a tough defensive player whose offensive game is evolving. This is a fair deal for the Kings, but would the Thunder offer so much for a player who can leave at the end of the season?

Other teams who are interested in the Rudy Gay are the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.

30Q: What will happen with Rudy Gay? https://t.co/KY2qOOsCoZ pic.twitter.com/qcqksJ7f3w

— Greg (@gwiss) September 8, 2016

Of those two teams, the Bulls have the better chance at acquiring Rudy Gay from the Kings. Bulls Nation is intimating that the Bulls might be receptive to offering Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott for Gay. Because of their shooting woes, the Bulls are likely to keep McDermott and offer guard Tony Snell instead.

The Kings would receive a veteran power forward in Taj Gibson to help mentor the inexperienced low-post players. Snell would provide outside shooting.

If the NBA rumors are true regarding the Sacramento Kings looking for a new home for Rudy Gay are true, expect something to happen within the next couple of weeks. The Kings have a few offers on the table. They are reportedly from the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Chicago Bulls. A mystery team may emerge from the pack.

Also, the Sacramento Kings could just keep Gay. If they do so it will be a shocker. Much like a trade not taking place soon.

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