NBA Trade Rumors: 5 destinations for Rudy Gay
By John Buhler
3. Washington Wizards
The 2015-16 Washington Wizards have been one of the biggest disappointments in the first half of the regular season. This team went from nearly winning the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the division rival Atlanta Hawks to a team that is struggling to get back to .500 in 2015-16.
Washington enters Thursday night a game below .500 at 20-21 and in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Losing Paul Pierce’s veteran leadership has not helped the Wizards in the slightest, as Washington is struggling to grow during their youth movement under head coach Randy Wittman.
One solution that could potentially help turn around the Wizards is to trade for Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay. Gay could come in and start for the Wizards at either the small forward position or at stretch four depending on the matchup. He would essentially fill the void at least positionally left by Pierce.
While Gay could come off the bench in a sixth man role with the Wizards, it is probably best to start him opposite on the wing of Bradley Beal to receive highlight reel passes from superstar point guard John Wall.
Washington would have to part ways with either Otto Porter, Kelly Oubre, and maybe even Beal to pull this trade-off with the Kings, but an offense centered around Wall and Gay could help get the Wizards back into contention in the Eastern Conference.
Next: 2. Memphis Grizzlies