Rudy Gay has been the subject of several trade rumors this offseason, but for now, the veteran forward remains on the Kings’ roster, under contract for two more years but with the opportunity to opt out of his deal next summer.
While one report earlier this month indicated that Gay had asked the Kings to trade him, the 29-year-old – in a conversation with Blake Ellington of Sactown Royalty – seemed to deny having made a trade request. Asked if he had told the team to move him, Gay replied, “No. Personally, no I haven’t.”
Of course, based on how Gay worded his comment, one could surmise that perhaps he asked his agent to request a trade on his behalf. Even if no formal trade request was submitted to the Kings, the majority of Gay’s interview with Ellington makes it clear that he’s not thrilled with his situation in Sacramento. The entire discussion is worth reading, particularly for Kings fans, but here are a few highlights from the former eighth overall pick:
On the trade rumors and how the Kings have dealt with the situation:
“I mean it’s been pretty loud as of late so it’s hard not to pay attention to it. I think it just goes to, I don’t know, I think there’s always ways to do things and in this situation I don’t think it’s going about the right way. No matter what your intentions to do with your players, I would think the first thing you want to do is make sure people are happy with what you are doing. That hasn’t been the case.”
On the communication between Gay and the Kings:
“I’ve had communication, but not the kind of communication that I would say I like.
“You don’t want to hear things on the internet, on Twitter. You would like to hear it from out of the horse’s mouth. Just be upfront with people, that’s all you have to do.”
On new coach Dave Joerger and the potential of the Kings going forward:
“I don’t know. Honestly, I haven’t paid attention. I don’t even know who our new players are to be honest with you. I’ve just been focused on trying to be healthy and trying to get in shape and get ready for the season, wherever that might be.”
On what he’s looking for from his NBA team as he enters his age-30 season:
“Stability. I feel like I still have a lot of years left. With stability, look at people like Jamal Crawford, look at people like Paul Pierce, a lot of people. When they have that stability and they know what their worth is for a team and what their job is for a team, how they can work on that and play for that team.
“At this point in my career, I think I want some kind of consistency and we don’t have that here, at all.”
“I don’t know. Honestly, I haven’t paid attention. I don’t even know who our new players are to be honest with you.”
Yeesh.
Jesus he’s a drone
It’s tough being a Kings fan. Will it ever end?
Is there a more dysfunctional organization in the NBA? Serious question. That team is bad and it starts with the front office. They aren’t not trying to build a great team, a fun and exciting team, they are just alway trying to patch things together and they could care less what their players want and what makes them happy. They should honestly sit with Gay and Cousins and try to work with those guys. Build a team around them and make it enjoyable for them. I’m sure people may disagree with what I am saying but I think from my view that would be a start. They obviously need some other good players to build around as well but you would really benefit from making your players happy and actually want to be there. We all know if they don’t trade these guys they will split in free agency as soon as they can.