NBA Trade Rumors: 5 trades Chicago Bulls need to make
By Tom West
Rudy Gay
As was discussed when looking at the idea of the Bulls adding Otto Porter, Rudy Gay is another candidate to fix the team’s small forward problem. The difference being the fact that Gay is a far more talented offensive weapon with a larger salary because of it.
With 17.9 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting, Gay is still a major contributor in the Kings’ offense that revolves around DeMarcus Cousins and the 11.7 nightly assists of Rajon Rondo. Gay’s explosive in transition as everyone knows, and he can create his own shot in a way that could be extremely valuable to the Heat to help the likes of Wade.
Yes, Gay may take too many long twos at times, but his career-high percentages this season of 50.6 percent from 10-16 feet and 45.8 percent from 16-24 feet are definitely impressive. At the very least, the way he can create and spark an offense can help improve the Bulls’ ranking of 20th for offensive efficiency.
Now, as Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops has reported, Gay is available:
"Need a forward? Rudy Gay is available, multiple league sources tell SheridanHoops.com… The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans are two of several teams that have aggressively worked the phones."
If the Kings have been working the phones that aggressively, it only adds to the likelihood of them being willing to part with Gay. For a team like the Bulls who are very limited with pieces to offer, this at least makes things a little easier.
In most instances, moving Pau Gasol won’t be easy. A 35-year-old with a player option isn’t what every team wants. That being said, his offensive talent is still obvious and he could really stretch defenses even further when DeMarcus Cousins is going to work in the paint and hustling for offensive rebounds. If the Kings could find any way to re-sign him, they keep that asset and a veteran leader with championship winning experience for their young, often troubled team. Meanwhile, Willie Cauley-Stein could come off the bench.
If they aren’t able to keep him, they can also benefit by picking up cap space when losing Gasol’s $7.4 million contract. They benefit even further by sending Gay to Chicago, as without his and Gasol’s combined salary that would likely be in excess of $20 million for 2016-17 (Gay is set to make $13.3 million by himself), and they have a good deal more money to play with in free agency.
The Bulls get their new small forward and add a creative, athletic dynamic to their offense, while the Kings get an upgraded power forward or the chance to improve their team even further in free agency. This could be a way in which the Bulls part with Gasol and get one of the best possible returns available.
Next: Another Pau Gasol idea