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Sacramento Kings rumors: Kings ‘enamored’ with Rudy Gay

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 11, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay (8) defended by Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (middle) and small forward Kyle Singler (left) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Kings 99-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay (8) defended by Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (middle) and small forward Kyle Singler (left) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Kings 99-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings have shown a lot of love for Rudy Gay and helped convince Gay not to opt out of the final year of his contract this offseason. Instead, he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2015 and the Kings appear to be the front runner to sign him.

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According to Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors, the Kings are “enamored” with Gay.

"Still, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive seems enamored with Gay, and it’s not the worst idea to negotiate when you’re receiving praise from the boss. Ranadive reportedly pursued Gay seemingly from the moment he bought the club last year, explaining after the December trade that brought him from the Raptors that not all the next-level metrics paint an unfavorable picture of the 6’8″ forward. GM Pete D’Alessandro has expressed a desire for a long-term future with Gay, and the team made a concerted effort to convince him to pick up his lucrative player option for this season. DeMarcus Cousins tried to ensure his teammate would stick around, too, a telling endorsement considering the long-term rookie scale extension that Cousins signed last summer, as well as the center’s temperamental nature."

The Kings will likely have to dish out a giant contract offer to keep Gay and thus far, they seem like they will be willing to do what it takes to keep Gay.

Last season, Gay averaged 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45.5% from the field, 33.0% from beyond the arc and 82.2% from the free throw line. Gay, who was selected with the eighth-overall pick of the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft has played for the Kings, Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies. In his eight-year career, he has put up 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 45.1% from the field, 34.2% from three and 78.4% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.

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