The Rudy Gay trade talks are said to have finally come to a stop this offseason as the San Antonio Spurs put an end to the lingering questions about the Sacramento Kings star's future. With his frustration and disappointment over how the front office of the DeMarcus Cousins team ran the organization, the reported exit of the small forward no longer comes as a surprise. Will he be fit though to boost the chances of Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and LaMarcus Aldridge in dominating the Western Conference?
The exit of Tim Duncan this offseason, as well as the impending retirement of both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, leaves the San Antonio Spurs with the need to sign more veteran stars. The Kawhi Leonard team barely participated in the free agent season, signing only Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls and reportedly aiming to land a Kevin Durant contract earlier. Hence, pursuing a Rudy Gay trade could very much be a possibility for the team that could offer the Sacramento Kings star an attractive package this offseason.
"Stability. I feel like I still have a lot of years left," shared Rudy Gay when asked in an interview about the things he wishes to achieve at this point in his career.
The Sacramento Kings star added, "With stability, look at people like Jamal Crawford, look at people like Paul Pierce, a lot of people. When they have that stability and they know what their worth is for a team and what their job is for a team, how they can work on that and play for that team."
The San Antonio Spurs have been known for their steadfast system under the watchful eye of Gregg Popovich. With NBA stars like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili virtually spending their entire basketball careers with the Kawhi Leonard team, it is hard to argue against the stability they offer. Moreover, reports reveal that this same system attracted Pau Gasol to sign with the LaMarcus Aldridge squad and leave the Chicago Bulls. Will Rudy Gay find the same solace in the San Antonio Spurs?
At this point, the possibility of a Rudy Gay trade remains an NBA rumor. Apart from the San Antonio Spurs, speculations across the league also identified the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers as interested parties to the trade. However, it remains to be seen if the Sacramento Kings will relent to a Rudy Gay trade this offseason.
"I mean it's been pretty loud as of late so it's hard not to pay attention to it," said Rudy Gay of the NBA trade rumors surrounding his name.
He further noted, "I think it just goes to, I don't know, I think there's always ways to do things and in this situation, I don't think it's going about the right way. No matter what your intentions to do with your players, I would think the first thing you want to do is make sure people are happy with what you are doing. That hasn't been the case."