Rudy Gay Enticed to Opt out of Contract, Test Free Agency

[The Hammer]

I honestly hope that Gay decides to opt out and that he doesn't sign long-term here. I wrote a thread about this a little while back. He looks much better than he really is. He is a scorer, not a shooter. His shooting percentage went up because he got to take so many shots from 5 to 10 feet which is the way the Kings' offense is set up, a lot of one on one play. When it came to midrange and 3-point shooting his percentages dropped significantly into below average range. This is why he didn't shoot well in Memphis or Toronto, those are passing style offenses where outside shooting is more important than penetration and posting up. Also don't forget that Gay is a below average defender and rebounder who is turnover prone. The proof is out there, Memphis and Toronto became instantly better when Gay left. They fell for it and realized they had made a mistake and did whatever they could to move him. I don't want us to fall for it too.

[/quote]

Gay is an above average defender, and an average rebounder, and a very good passer for his position.

You haven't at all convinced me to give up his pure scoring ability for someone who lacks that but can hit the outside shot and the three. Feel free to try some more though, I mean it.

 

[Boogie-havoc]

he might aswell opt out now and finish this saga either way, then stay another year and do it next off season.

How much do you guys think we can keep him for, though? 13mil?

 

[hrdboild]

Charlotte does make a lot of sense as a free agent destination for Rudy. MJ always seems to prefer vets if you look at his past history as a GM. They're coming off a first round playoff loss where Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker were their only reliable scorers. They were a very good defensive team in general this season and had trouble all year finding guys who could score the ball. I don't think they're going to give up on MKG, but there's reason to question his future as a starter with them. Plus they're getting new uniforms next season with the 'Hornets' re-branding so it might be a good time to make a splash and push for more season ticket sales. I don't know that they have enough cap space outright to sign him so maybe it's a S&T situation.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

I think that's just more evidence on the side of PDA "not getting it", but I'm not really surprised at this point. When he said he had McLemore at the top of his board over Noel that was one sign of where his head was at. When he swapped Tyreke for 1 year of Vasquez, a horrible defensive player, and let Portland steal Robin Lopez despite our complete lack of defensive talent at the C position that was another. Giving Carl Landry a 4 year deal was another. Of course he wants Rudy back long-term. Apparently Gerbil thinks the way to win in the NBA is to score 120 points per game and hope your defense can hold on.

gerbil wants all offensive players and hopes our defensive coach can instill defensive principles. this is the same thinking when musselhead said he could convert our offensive juggernaut team into a defensive team. there are going to be limitations. IE bibby did not have the foot speed to press full court constantly.

 

[Albatros]

I just don't see him coming back, hope I'm wrong, I just don't get that vibe from him that he's super enthusiastic about this situation. Can the FO convince him this team can compete next year (hell no) the year after? (hmm) 2016 who can say. He wants to "win now" he's said that.

maybe he does take the 19 MIL and sit on his hands for a year but the team will be hamstrung by that deal and he knows they can't win if he does that (probably not anyway)

 

[Kingster]

Charlotte does make a lot of sense as a free agent destination for Rudy. MJ always seems to prefer vets if you look at his past history as a GM. They're coming off a first round playoff loss where Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker were their only reliable scorers. They were a very good defensive team in general this season and had trouble all year finding guys who could score the ball. I don't think they're going to give up on MKG, but there's reason to question his future as a starter with them. Plus they're getting new uniforms next season with the 'Hornets' re-branding so it might be a good time to make a splash and push for more season ticket sales. I don't know that they have enough cap space outright to sign him so maybe it's a S&T situation.

I wonder if it's possible MKG could be involved in a sign and trade for Gay.

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

Gay is an above average defender, and an average rebounder, and a very good passer for his position.

Rudy's actually a pretty pedestrian passer for a SF. Among SFs who played at least 1000 minutes this year, he's 11th in assist percentage. And this year was a career high passing year for him.

 

[Mike]

Charlotte does make a lot of sense as a free agent destination for Rudy. MJ always seems to prefer vets if you look at his past history as a GM. They're coming off a first round playoff loss where Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker were their only reliable scorers. They were a very good defensive team in general this season and had trouble all year finding guys who could score the ball. I don't think they're going to give up on MKG, but there's reason to question his future as a starter with them. Plus they're getting new uniforms next season with the 'Hornets' re-branding so it might be a good time to make a splash and push for more season ticket sales. I don't know that they have enough cap space outright to sign him so maybe it's a S&T situation.

I think I read somewhere they have around $19 million in cap space and want to compete for a big name free agent. So they should be able to afford the addition of a player like Rudy Gay, and I think a big name free agent is the only way they'll take a step forward now.

I wonder if we could get a sign-and-trade for their first round pick and a player?

 

[Chupacabra]

It seems to me that the most secure way for Rudy to make sure he gets paid is to take his 19 mil player option and then resign afterwards. Why would he be so afraid that his play is going to drop off next year that he's willing to take a 7-8 million dollar pay cut for a year? That makes zero sense.

 

[Chubbs]

It seems to me that the most secure way for Rudy to make sure he gets paid is to take his 19 mil player option and then resign afterwards. Why would he be so afraid that his play is going to drop off next year that he's willing to take a 7-8 million dollar pay cut for a year? That makes zero sense.

No, it makes a lot of sense. 19 million for one year, or 50 plus for four. If he gets hurt, he misses out on more than 30 million dollars.

It's not a drop in play that's the concern, it's injuries.

 

[Chupacabra]

No, it makes a lot of sense. 19 million for one year, or 50 plus for four. If he gets hurt, he misses out on more than 30 million dollars.

It's not a drop in play that's the concern, it's injuries.

Right. I should have included that in my post. It STILL doesn't make sense to think that there is a good enough chance that he will either have a drop in play or experience a serious injury to justify losing 7-8 million dollars.

 

[whozit]

No, it makes a lot of sense. 19 million for one year, or 50 plus for four. If he gets hurt, he misses out on more than 30 million dollars.

It's not a drop in play that's the concern, it's injuries.

Basically under that scenario he would be playing the last three for a little over ten per.

And if he doesn't get hurt, he has given up 19 million (assuming he would still get the 50 for four). I suspect that if he opts out and resigns it will be more like 60 for four.

 

[Chubbs]

Right. I should have included that in my post. It STILL doesn't make sense to think that there is a good enough chance that he will either have a drop in play or experience a serious injury to justify losing 7-8 million dollars.

Well, he's not "losing" 7-8 million, he's gaining 30. Or 40. In theory. Or whatever it is over the length of the contract. Security and all that stuff.

I'm pretty convinced he is opting out.

The other reason to opt out is to go to a winner. The kings are not that by any stretch. Ultimately, we can all convince ourselves he'd be an idiot to opt out, but that's not exactly true. Lots of people might think he'd be an idiot to stay in Sacramento if a team like the lakers dangles a ton of money in front of him. Why wait till next season if he doesn't want to be here?

He has plenty of money.

 

[Chupacabra]

Well, he's not "losing" 7-8 million, he's gaining 30. Or 40. In theory. Or whatever it is over the length of the contract. Security and all that stuff.

I'm pretty convinced he is opting out.

The other reason to opt out is to go to a winner. The kings are not that by any stretch. Ultimately, we can all convince ourselves he'd be an idiot to opt out, but that's not exactly true. Lots of people might think he'd be an idiot to stay in Sacramento if a team like the lakers dangles a ton of money in front of him. Why wait till next season if he doesn't want to be here?

He has plenty of money.

Mmmk. Or he could take the player option for 19 million and then sign the 30 or 40 million dollar long term contract afterwards. This is the idea that I'm trying to express.