The Los Angeles Lakers are one of five teams said to be actively exploring the option of signing Rudy Gay this summer.
Gay, 36, is obviously no longer the 20 PPG scorer that he was for most of his career. Last season with the Utah Jazz, he averaged 5.2 points per game in 14 minutes of action per outing.
That said, he could still be a solid contributor off the bench in the right situation.
Earlier this summer, Gay was acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder and waived. Now he is free to sign with whichever squad he wants.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, five teams are currently in the hunt for Gay’s services.
“Gay is expected to draw interest from several playoff-caliber teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, and New Orleans Pelicans,” he wrote.
The Lakers have been linked to a different potential pick-up in recent days, but an obstacle could derail the team’s plans. In that scenario, Gay could prove to be a solid Plan B.
If not L.A., the Mavericks and Pelicans are two teams that could really use the sort of veteran leadership Gay would bring to the table.
The Warriors and Bulls, meanwhile, would likely provide the most seamless of possible transitions for Gay in terms of how he likes to play and the way the talent around him would work.
Gay is obviously approaching the end of his career. He has one, maybe two seasons left in him – max. Which makes this decision of where he will play next all the more important.
If Gay wants to win a championship, he has to select the right landing spot for the 2023-24 NBA season. Where will Gay ultimately wind up when it’s all said and done? Time will tell.
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