Sacramento Kings: Debate and Poll; Will They Make the Right Decision?
The Sacramento Kings are once again in a state of flux and one of their biggest problems this offseason is the dilemma they have with Rudy Gay and Isaiah Thomas. The two players played major parts for the Kings this season and there is a strong possibility that the team will be saying goodbye to one of them. On one side you have Isaiah Thomas, a point guard who has proven himself to be one of the best scoring guards in the NBA- averaging 20.3 points per game this season- and a vocal leader for Sacramento’s roster, since joining the team in 2011 as the 60th pick. Isaiah is now a restricted free agent this offseason, and although it seems to like it in Sacramento, it would not be surprising to see him go after a large pay day.
On the other side you have small forward Rudy Gay. At one time early in his career Rudy Gay was looked to be a potential all-star, with his ability to pass, shoot, and drive to the basket on defenders with ease. Gay lost his way after Memphis traded him to the Toronto Raptors in 2012, shooting career lows and being looked at as one of the most inefficient players in the league. On Decemember 9, 2013, Sacramento traded away Greivis Vasques, Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes, and John Salmons to acquire Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy, and Aaron Gray. Since then Rudy Gay looked to have found his game again, ending the season with career high in field goal percentage (48%) and scoring a career high of (20.4 points per game). Rudy Gay has a player option this offseason- meaning he has the decision to opt in-or-out of his current contract. Gay is expected to make $19 million if he decides to stay with Sacramento.
Sacramento has already given a max contract to their prized big man DeMarcus Cousins, so although having both players is ideal, staying under the NBA salary cap is a need for a team that is in a rebuilding state. The Kings have been without a truly gifted small forward since Ron Artest left back in 2008. So after finally getting a player to the caliber of Rudy Gay and how scarce the players are at that position, it will be hard to want to let that go so easily. Isaiah Thomas has seemed to have captured the locker room and the attention of all the fans and each year Isaiah has continual proved, he deserves to be in the NBA.
There is one thing that completely turns the table on this dilemma, and what makes my decision- if I was the general manager for Sacramento- to pick Rudy Gay over Isaiah Thomas.
Isaiah Thomas has been such a great talent to watch in Sacramento through his first three seasons, but his gameplay mindset of being a shoot first type of player, is not what Sacramento needs on this roster. The Kings have already showed their interest in their recent draft pick- Ray McCallum- and McCallum himself just proved through the last two months of the season that he can produce in big minutes. The Kings are also looking at another year in the lottery and with one of the biggest hyped draft classes since 2003- could there future point guard be there?
The biggest risk with Rudy Gay- if Sacramento can persuade him to Opt in- is the fact that the team will be back in this situation with Rudy the following season, with him being a unrestricted free agent. At least with Isaiah Thomas, the Kings can let him find his worth on the open market and can match any offer that he is offered because of the fact he is a restricted free agent.
Although Sacramento can make a longer and probably more “cheaper” deal by sticking with Isaiah Thomas, the scarcity at the small forward position is too much to over look. In no way am I saying this is what Sacramento is planning on doing this offseason, but let’s be honest- why go after a guy like Rudy Gay, knowing his contract information, and not make him your first priority. Pete D’Allessandro- Sacramento’s general manager- is in for a big challenge once the open market begins, and all Kings fans will be holding their breath to watch and see what direction their team will be heading.