Rudy Gay poses the biggest conundrum for the Thunder
By Tony Heim
Rudy Gay is a perfect basketball fit for the OKC Thunder. His past history as a locker room terror, however, makes him a questionable free agency target for a team in dire need of perimeter scoring.
I don’t want Rudy Gay to join the Thunder. At the same time I really want Rudy Gay in Oklahoma City. What do I do? More importantly, what should the Thunder do?
The Gay conundrum is fascinating. Here we have an uber-talented wing scorer choosing to walk away from $14+ million just to get away from the Sacramento Kings. The 30-year old is currently rehabbing a torn Achilles, making the decision to leave eight figures on the table a questionable one.
Recent reports now say the Thunder are targeting Gay in free agency; the move makes sense for a plethora of reasons.
- The 30-year old would provide Russell Westbrook with a secondary scoring option on the perimeter.
- Gay is a solid defender, making the probable loss of Andre Roberson hurt less.
- Oklahoma City would provide Gay a great opportunity to rebuild his reputation around the league.
And #3 is exactly why I’m hesitant to bring Rudy Gay to Oklahoma City.
Nobody wants a player coming off a torn Achilles; history says it’s the worst type of injury for NBA players. It’s the Achilles, however, that makes Gay a possibility for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City already has $112+ million on the books for 12 players (Ronnie Price included) next season. Unless there’s a sign-and-trade it’s impossible for the Thunder to add a starting-caliber player without going over the luxury tax. Nobody’s paying a 30-year old coming off a torn Achilles starting-caliber money though.
Gay isn’t looking to sign a long term deal this summer. By opting out of his deal with the Kings he’s betting on himself to bounce back from a crippling injury and regain his credibility around the league. Gay’s probably not going to garner a contract as big as his $12 million – turning that down shows he wants to play in a better basketball environment.
It just so happens Sam Presti and the Thunder have created one of the best climates around the NBA. The question is whether or not they want to bring a player with Gay’s baggage into their tight-knit family.
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Rudy Gay has been traded twice; both times the team that got rid of him improved. Whether it’s his proneness to stopping ball movement or some unspecified attitude problem, Gay comes with extra baggage in some form. But other then a controversy surrounding stat sheets in the Toronto locker room there isn’t much physical evidence of Gay being a problem.
Gay is still a starter in this league, but he’s not the top 30 talent he once was. He would provide Oklahoma City with everything they need in a small forward, but would take valuable time from their young prospects. Rudy Gay would make the Thunder better, but it wouldn’t catapult them into a championship contender.
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So what does Sam Presti do? Does he make the move for Gay in hopes that he plays like he did before tearing his Achilles? Or does he stay away to give Josh Huestis an opportunity three years after drafting him?
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In conclusion
If Rudy Gay is the “big” move of the offseason I’m against signing him. Oklahoma City could get an 18 point a night scorer for a steep discount; 18 points a game isn’t enough to push the Thunder into the upper echelon of teams.
Now if this is one of a couple moves (a la a Blake Griffin sign-and-trade or a miraculous Kristaps Porzingis trade) THEN I’d be intrigued by a Rudy Gay signing. Gay is a quality veteran player coming off a serious injury, the perfect recipe for a cheap discounted contract.
Your move Presti. I know you’ll figure out what to do.
#inPrestiwetrust