Of course we need to end the habit that we let good players go for nothing, but at the same time you don't give up a near 20 ppg player for little in return. We aren't a rebuilding team that trades its veterans for whatever it can get in return (eg picks or young talent) because we are on the clock with Cousins having two years left on his deal. As such our roster is constructed to compete for a play off spot. That means any return for Rudy Gay has to see us get a player of equal value, otherwise we would be downgrading our team on the basis that we are scared of him leaving for nothing next summer. That is something we can't afford to do because of the situation we find ourselves in. We need to make sure we have the best supporting cast we can possibly put together for Cousins, and if that means taking a risk on Rudy Gay walking for nothing because we can't get equal value for him - so be it.
Besides, unless Rudy Gay has said he wants out, I wouldn't be too worried based on next summer's free agent class. It stands to be stacked. Sure he will get a pay day, but there is no reason we can't attract a new starting small forward in free agency if we have a good season. We have an all star in Cousins, a new world class arena, and an excellent young head coach. So while we may not be able to attract the Kevin Durants, there is no reason we couldn't attract a player like Gordon Hayward or Danilo Gallinari if we decided to target them to be our new starting small forward. We could even decide to bring back Rudy Gay if both sides want that to happen, and we could then use free agency to strengthen another area. Essentially we have options if we decide to keep hold of Rudy Gay, we can either let him walk and replace him, or we can bring him back.
