Word surfaced early Sunday that Rudy Gay will sign an extension to stay with the Sacramento Kings. According to USA Today, Gay will sign a 3 year deal worth $40 million dollars. The deal will also include a player option for the 2017-18 season. The extension will not kick in until next season. Prior to this season Gay picked up his 19.3 million dollar extension.
This deal is a steal for the Sacramento Kings. With the new media deal coming down, the assumption is the NBA’s salary cap will rise around $5 million dollars. The Kings deal with Gay is less than the deals signed by Gordon Hayward (4 year, 63 million) and Chandler Parsons (3 year, 46 million), both of whom signed extensions during the summer.
Sir Charles In Charge
Rudy Gay has been stellar since coming over from the Toronto Raptors. Not only has he brought stability to the small forward position that has been a black hole in recent seasons, but he has excelled at that spot. Gay is averaging 22.5 points per game, which is currently top 10 in the NBA. He is also averaging nearly 7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Gay spent the summer playing with Team USA. The experience seems to be paying dividends. There is something that happens when you compete with and against the worlds best. His ability to rely on his teammates has translated to this season. Prior to his time in Sacramento, Gay would often over dribble and settle for long two pointers, but now, his new found aggressiveness is helping him get to the hoop and to the free throw line.
Gay’s veteran leadership has proved to be a difference maker for the Kings. The Kings 6-4 start is due in large part to Gay’s leadership on the floor and in the locker room. He sunk two big free throws to seal a win against the Spurs on Saturday night, ending a three game losing streak.
The Kings are creating stability from the top down and making moves that make a ton of sense. The future is bright in Sacramento.