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Knicks Trade Rumors: Monitoring Trade Activity Around The NBA

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) drives past New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) drives past New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) reacts to a play against the LA Clippers during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 121-115. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) reacts to a play against the LA Clippers during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 121-115. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

Position: Small Forward
Age: 30 (8/17/1986)
Experience: 11th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .457/.342/.843
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.5 MPG, 19.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.2 3PM

If any player can help a team make postseason-caliber improvements, it’s Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay. He’s not the No. 1 star that he used to be, but he’s good for an efficient 20 points per game and has postseason experience.

Gay is unlikely to be an option for the New York Knicks directly, but if he’s traded to an Eastern Conference team, the impact will be direct.

Gay is pushing through his well-documented unhappiness in Sacramento have a productive and efficient season. Whether he’s auditioning for a new team or attempting to help Sacramento win, he’s playing at an undeniably high level.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, that doesn’t change the widespread belief that he’ll soon be traded.

"Three established names we expect to be dealt are … Rudy Gay. Nerlens Noel. Ricky Rubio."

If an Eastern Conference contender manages to trade for Gay, the Knicks’ road to the Eastern Conference Finals would become significantly more difficult.

New York can’t worry too much about what other teams are doing, but every opponent must be game-planned for. Gay is an X-Factor for any team he plays for, as his combination of size, skill, and athleticism ranks amongst the best at his position.

Untapped potential or otherwise, Gay has the ability to be a game-changer for an Eastern Conference team. Plus, he’s on an expiring contract.

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