Another Utah Jazz player could be getting picked off by the trade machine this offseason.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Saturday that veteran Jazz forward Rudy Gay is a candidate to be traded. Scotto notes that Gay, 35, is older and does not fit into Utah’s long-term rebuilding plan.
One of the NBA’s more underrated bucket-getters of the last decade-and-a-half, Gay averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in a mere 18.9 minutes per game for the Jazz last season. He is owed $6.2 million next year and has a $6.5 million player option for 2023-24.
With the Jazz going demolition derby on their roster, the potential offloading of Gay is to be expected and likely will not affect them too much. But Gay, who remains without an NBA championship, could raise hell off the bench for a contender. He can still carry a second unit with his scoring punch and has developed a more consistent three-point shot with age.
Gay was hunted by some major teams last summer, so he may land in a better situation before long.
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