Will Rudy still opt out? Revisited...

pdxKingsFan

Hall of Famer
#5
Are we better or worse if he opts out? I mean it's a one year deal and would presumably keep us from signing someone next year, which if we are keeping our 2018 first and losing our 2019, that means we may as well tank and trade him at the deadline for picks or something of long term value to a team either trying to free space or make a push. Guessing best case next year is second unit scorer.
 
#6
If he opts out, I do wonder if we can get someone good to sign here.
I think the only way the Kings can get free agents to come here, is to make a big overpay.

They need to find a young SF or PG that they project higher in the coming years and is under valued by their own team, someone like Shabazz Muhammad, comes to mind.
 
#7
Are we better or worse if he opts out? I mean it's a one year deal and would presumably keep us from signing someone next year, which if we are keeping our 2018 first and losing our 2019, that means we may as well tank and trade him at the deadline for picks or something of long term value to a team either trying to free space or make a push. Guessing best case next year is second unit scorer.
I think Gay wants out so badly, that unless his leg falls off in rehab, he is opting out. ;)
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#8
Looks like Rudy is on schedule to be ready by training camp, if he does not have any set backs, I'm sure he will opt out and become a free agent:

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1257/rudy-gay

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/playerpage/1113157/rudy-gay


I think the Kings will only have like $42 mil in salary for next year, once they release the vets on options.

Throw a max contract at Otto Porter?
I would throw as much money as the CBA allows at Porter on day one of free agency. Which I believe is around 105 mil over 4 years. That would put a lot of pressure on the Wizards, because they'll be committed to a minimum of $92,242,084.00 without resigning either Porter or Trey Burke.. If they match, they would be just under the luxury tax for that year, and have no wiggle room left to sign anyone else to improve a team, that as assembled, is good enough to make the playoffs, but not good enough to win a championship.

There's a good chance they bite the bullet and match the offer, but we have nothing to lose by taking a shot at him early, and who knows, maybe they work out a sign and trade, or just let him walk.
 

HndsmCelt

Hall of Famer
#11
I think he opts in and rehabs on our dime. If he comes back I would let him know his SF days are over.
I too think that he will pick up his option to stay here and Rehab with the Kings. Unless he knows he's done Rudy is likely to expect a nice Payday on his next contract there's no way I see anyone paying very much for a guy that hasn't been on court most of the season due to an Achilles rupture. Add to that the fact that Rudy is neither young nor has a lot of playoff experience so if you are a team looking to improve by bringing in a experienced vet at the small forward and paid quite a bit for it I'm not sure Rudy Gay is your guy anymore. A year with the Kings is clearly the best player on a young team should allow him to demonstrate how well he can play and put up inflated numbers in the process.
 
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#12
If Gay is anywhere close to ready by training camp, he'll sign on somewhere else on a "prove-it" deal. He probably has the ability to get one big deal left in his career, and he's got a much better shot at doing so on helping a contender rather than wasting away on the worst team in the league.
 
#13
If Gay is anywhere close to ready by training camp, he'll sign on somewhere else on a "prove-it" deal. He probably has the ability to get one big deal left in his career, and he's got a much better shot at doing so on helping a contender rather than wasting away on the worst team in the league.
His "prove it " deal is already in the bag for almost 14M. No way he opts out of that. Realistically he cashes in and becomes a journeyman of sorts after.
 
#14
It's interesting. Does he opt out and hope someone bets big on him (see W. Matthews) in fear that he won't be the same player or does he opt in, take the guaranteed money, and hope he proves to everyone that he can still play at a high level (thus getting a big contract the next year)?
 

kingsboi

Hall of Famer
#15
If the Kings are going to spend in free agency, let's at least hope it's young players and those might of been overlooked by their teams and they are looking for a new start elsewhere.
 
#16
His "prove it " deal is already in the bag for almost 14M. No way he opts out of that. Realistically he cashes in and becomes a journeyman of sorts after.
He's either fleecing some team on a "hope and pray he heals 100%" deal or taking the money in the bank. I honestly am not sure what is best for him, I think realistically if he opts in he knows he's done.
 
#17
I don't see any way Rudy is not opting out.

Crazy money is starting to dry up with teams slowly realizing, that you can't give such huge contracts to players of questionable quality, but once July, 1st comes it's back to "money is there to spend". There will be much less cap space available in summer 2018 and Rudy will be almost 32 by then. BTW before injury Rudy had one heck of a season statistically: hustle stats on nba.com are very impressive, and he was just as impressive on defense statistically. Rudy was back to scoring efficiently and passing more after a bit of down year in 15/16. You can say, he was in contract year mode, but stats are there. No way he looks good his first year back, even more so if he has a set-back in his recovery.
 
#18
Just as a reminder Rudy would be returning from back to back achilles surgeries because he went under the knife before this current season. I would be shocked if he's not back next year.
 
#19
The real question is: is a guaranteed $14M worth more to Rudy than a potential longer, more profitable contract? The Kings should make it very clear to him that we are in rebuilding mode, developing our young player, intent on playing the young guys and that if he wants to opt-in, he will get his $14M but he won't play much (if at all). If the thought of very limited minutes and lots of DNPs doesn't scare him off, then he's welcome to have a courtside seat at our games and a $14M gift to fulfill the contractual obligation. But good luck getting that last big contract after that! He'll have better luck following the Chandler Parsons strategy, opt out, and let his agent find him a deal.

Harsh? Maybe, but a guy who has spent the last few years talking about how much he wants out, made it very clear that he will not opt in and has shown ZERO loyalty to this team deserves none in return. If the Kings had no problem with what they did with Boogie, they should have no problems dealing with Rudy. After all, it's not like it's going to ruin our ability to attract FAs ... #charactermattersbutonlyontheplayersside
 
#20
if he doesn't opt out, we let him play. hopefully he plays well enough to rebuild his stock atleast a little bit and we trade him. Or, he opts out and we spend money on a small foward. Plus I will say we will get 2 top 10 picks this year. I think we will "be in a better position in 2 years" or ill let VF21 ban me.
 
#22
The real question is: is a guaranteed $14M worth more to Rudy than a potential longer, more profitable contract? The Kings should make it very clear to him that we are in rebuilding mode, developing our young player, intent on playing the young guys and that if he wants to opt-in, he will get his $14M but he won't play much (if at all). If the thought of very limited minutes and lots of DNPs doesn't scare him off, then he's welcome to have a courtside seat at our games and a $14M gift to fulfill the contractual obligation. But good luck getting that last big contract after that! He'll have better luck following the Chandler Parsons strategy, opt out, and let his agent find him a deal.

Harsh? Maybe, but a guy who has spent the last few years talking about how much he wants out, made it very clear that he will not opt in and has shown ZERO loyalty to this team deserves none in return. If the Kings had no problem with what they did with Boogie, they should have no problems dealing with Rudy. After all, it's not like it's going to ruin our ability to attract FAs ... #charactermattersbutonlyontheplayersside
It's pro sports my friend there is no loyalty that's why there are guaranteed contracts. Players are well paid commodities nothing more.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#23
It's pro sports my friend there is no loyalty that's why there are guaranteed contracts. Players are well paid commodities nothing more.
That is quite possibly the saddest thing I've ever read on this board. The fact it could be true makes it even sadder.

I guess we're probably the last generation that will see or remember guys like Reggie Miller and Tim Duncan, who played their entire careers with one organization.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#24
Gay will opt out if his agent finds interest elsewhere. There will be no guessing when it comes to decision time. I am guessing, which puts me at a disadvantage to his agent, that the interest is lukewarm.
 

HndsmCelt

Hall of Famer
#25
That is quite possibly the saddest thing I've ever read on this board. The fact it could be true makes it even sadder.

I guess we're probably the last generation that will see or remember guys like Reggie Miller and Tim Duncan, who played their entire careers with one organization.
And John Stockton showed loyalty while other players chose to "ride coat tails." Perhaps I have lived too long.