Recapping the Sacramento Kings trade for Rudy Gay
By Bryan Rose
Nov 26, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Rudy Gay (22) misses an attempted alley-oop against the Brooklyn Nets at Air Canada Centre. The Nets beat the Raptors 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
While the vast majority of us were getting over our NFL hangover on Sunday evening, Pete D’Alessandro and the Sacramento Kings front office was pulling off a seven player, semi-blockbuster trade.
The deal, centered around the 27-year-old Rudy Gay brings a ‘star’ caliber player to Sacramento, but does that mean the crew here at A Royal Pain is content with the trade?
Find out below:
Scott:
"It was torture after the deal was first reported, as the parts going from Sacramento to Toronto were unknown. But once we learned that Isaiah Thomas would be staying (WHEW!), it was an instant huge victory for the Kings. Again, it’s another deal that has very little downside. The Kings get a legitimate small forward for the first time in years. I’ve long been a fan of Gay — he’s athletic, can be counted on to score and has the length to disrupt things defensively. Admittedly, I have not seen him much since he went up north. Nonetheless, how could this backfire? At most, Gay is under contract through next season, with an outside shot he opts out this summer. The Kings won’t be handicapped, and they gave up nothing that will hurt their future. Greivis Vasquez was outplayed at point guard starting in training camp, Chuck Hayes was rarely worth his cap figure, Patrick Patterson became expendable with the addition of Carl Landry, and John Salmons…well, he’s John Salmons. Meanwhile, the Kings suddenly field a starting five that actually resembles an NBA squad. And there are other side bars to this deal that make it positive: it gives Isaiah the starting gig, it frees up minutes for Ray McCallum and Jimmer Fredette, it also brings Quincy Acy, who is a hustle player, and Aaron Gray, who gives the Kings some actual size at the center spot. All in all, a big win for Petey D and the Kings management. Excitement has returned to the team."