Rudy Gay could have been a free agent target for the Sacramento Kings in 2018 if he did not come to the California capital during a rough time for the franchise.
What if Rudy Gay had never come to the Sacramento Kings? Never had the rough times that seem to get worse by the day. After Rudy came, things started looking up. DeMarcus Cousins was putting up significant numbers, Malone was doing alright as the coach. Boogie seemed even to like him a little. What did I say? Yes, it was not perfect, but it was working. So Rudy signs a long-term deal. Heck Rudy and DeMarcus helped Team USA get a gold medal in World Cup FIBA 2014. Rudy also won gold medal 2010.
So then what happens? Another coach fired, feuds in the front office! Owner making mistakes he can’t help by being new in the business. Along with not listening to what smart basketball people gave him as advice. It just seemed to not be fun along with losing year after year.
Injury and Departure
Rudy Gay tore his Achilles in January 2017. DeMarcus gets traded soon after when he finally proved to Vivek with his lack of leadership of bringing teammates together. Vivek realized they could never win with DMC as the main guy!
End of the year could not come fast enough so Rudy could forget it! Rudy’s surgery and rehab are going well. The Kings hired a coach he had worked with before and knew well. His player option is Rudy’s card to play. Stay in Sacramento for a year?
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Rudy has guaranteed money when coming off an injury so it would seem a sane man would take the money. Use that year to prove to other teams you are healthy and still the great player you were before you got hurt.
Nope! Rudy has terrible taste in his mouth, so he opts out of player option for $14.2 million. Then signed a two-year deal with Spurs for $17.2 million.
Season with Spurs
Why? Rudy just needed to get a fresh start with a stable team and a solid coach. Play with an organization that has a track record of playing good hoops and going to the playoffs with a chance to win it all. Spurs and Popovich fit that to a tee!
Doesn’t hurt if you have a star or two with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge too. So Rudy takes less money goes to Spurs and plays pretty well. He has a few minor injuries but plays a lot more than maybe Gay expected with Kawhi not on the court for most of the season.
I must say watching Rudy with the Spurs in playoffs this year reminded me of classic vintage Rudy. Getting them points when they needed them doing what he does. Make a basket by getting a little space then shooting over the opponent. Wonder if K.D. watched Rudy when he was younger?
Opt-out and not a glance at Sacramento
Rudy has now opted out of his second year player option. Does he want more money? Maybe he feels that Spurs can’t win it all? Does Kawhi situation remind him of Kings old drama? Or all of the above?
If Rudy had never played for Kings, would he be a free agent Sacramento would go after this year? He might not be a young core guy for the long-term building, but Rudy would be the answer at small forward. Can also play at the four spot in small ball scenarios. He would also teach the young guys how to be a pro! All his time in Sacramento I can’t ever remember him talking bad about team, front office or anything else for that matter!
UUnfortunately, we will never know! It is too bad, as I could see Rudy saying I like and know Coach Joerger. They have some great young pieces in Fox- Bogdan- Heild- who have proved they can play. They have plenty of room to improve. So far they have a track record of being hardworking and willing to learn.
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I think this could be an organization and team I want to play for and Rudy Gay might feel the same if he had not had that stint in Sacramento already.
Editor’s note: Rudy Gay has agreed to re-sign with the Spurs on a one-year $10 million deal.