Rudy Gay is looking to force his team's hand. The small forward has decided that he will try his luck in free agency next offseason.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the 10-year NBA player let the Kings organization know his intention to become an unrestricted free agent by using his 2017 player option after this season.
The report also lists Gay as “unlikely to negotiate a new deal” with Sacramento. Considering his recent outspoken displeasure with the front office's decisions, this news is not the most surprising.
The Kings will undoubtedly look to move Gay before he is able to exercise that player option so that the team gets something rather than nothing return for the veteran. Although Sacramento has reportedly engaged in multiple trade talks surrounding Rudy Gay – most recently with the Rockets – no deal has stuck so far.
Teams around the league are likely reluctant to bite on Gay since his player option could be exercised with his new team after a trade. The 30-year-old has a $14.3 million player option for the 2017-18 season.
If a deal can't be reached before the season, expect the Kings to hold onto Gay until a contending team comes calling late in the season in need of a veteran scorer.
Rudy Gay averaged 17.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game last season and holds career averages of 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
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