NBA Trade Rumors: 5 destinations for Rudy Gay
By John Buhler
4. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have been in and around eighth place in the Eastern Conference for almost the entire first half of the 2015-16 NBA season. Boston made the Eastern Conference Playoffs as a seventh seed for the first time under the tenure of head coach Brad Stevens in 2015, but were unable to win a playoff game in the first round, getting swept by the No. 2 seed Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Celtics have many intriguing assets and draft picks they could dangle in front of potential trade partners should they look to upgrade their good, but not great roster. One player that could help the Celtics is Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay.
Boston needs a go-to scorer badly, as Stevens’ team is a defense-first type of basketball team. Their best scoring option at the midway point of the 2015-16 NBA season is likely point guard Isaiah Thomas, who general manager Danny Ainge acquired last NBA trade deadline in a deal with the Phoenix Suns.
Gay could act as an offensive spark plug in the manner that Thomas brought to the team last year, but this time at the small forward position. Sacramento could have interest in one of the many rotational bigs on Boston’s roster like Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, and even Jae Crowder to find the right power forward type of player that can coexist alongside franchise center DeMarcus Cousins.
While it is unclear if Gay would accept this role, he may have a ton of success as the Celtics’ sixth man in having the offense run through him, especially when Isaiah Thomas is on the court. Gay won’t help defensively, but Boston probably needs a wing player than can average 17.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. He can certainly give the Celtics that as either a starter and maybe as a sixth man for an improved playoff team in the East.
Next: 3. Washington Wizards