Secondly, the chemistry issues this would present must be scrutinized. If the Bulls are going to consider a blockbuster deal such as this, which would alter team chemistry, it must be 100 percent convincing from a statistical standpoint. Gay's numbers are actually slightly weaker than Deng's. While numbers don't tell the whole story, there would at least need to be ample evidence here for the Bulls to ponder such a deal.
Luol Deng: 17.9 points per game (44.5 percent from the field), 6.6 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game Rudy Gay: 17.8 points per game (41.4 percent from the field), 5.7 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game There are numerous reasons to support this.
RUDY GAY TRADE BULLS FREE
We’ll see if Stevens will use his MLE on another wing, or if the PG spot will be more of a focus in free agency.Such a deal could look enticing to Bulls fans at first glance, but the reality is that this would be a downright foolish deal for the Bulls to even tinker with. Gay could be that guy, serving the role on the roster Jabari Parker tried to in 2020-21. The Boston Celtics could use a familiar face for new head coach Ime Udoka to help get his message across in the locker-room. Instead, he has become a role player that can finish when provided easy looks and create a bucket or two for himself scoring on second units. His previous career-high in a season in which he shot over three attempts per game came in his truncated 2016-17 season that was robbed because of the aforementioned Achilles tear.Īt this stage in his career, Gay is no longer the isolation threat he was during his days with the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies, or even the early days of his Sacramento stay. Gay hasn’t been the same since he ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2017, though he did just have his finest shooting performance from the 3-point line of his career, averaging 38% from downtown on over four attempts per game. In all, this would not be a sexy free agent signing, but given the midlevel exception value, it would be a great add given Rudy Gay’s experience.
If Stevens looks to pursue Gay, new head coach Ime Udoka is familiar with him as his former assistant coach with the Spurs. Last season with the San Antonio Spurts, Gay averaged 11.4 points while shooting 38.1 percent from behind the three-point stripe.Īs a valued veteran coming off the bench, that kind of production could be a great addition to the Boston Celtics bench. The 34-year-old veteran has been linked to the Celtics in the past, but now he should be an affordable pickup for the team.
RUDY GAY TRADE BULLS FULL
The second unit’s scoring output placed them squarely in the middle of the pack in 2020-21 and was the primary culprit preventing them from consistently hanging in there with top teams for the full 48 minutes.Ĭhowder and Champions’ Tarringo Basile-vaughan believes that San Antonio Spurs free agent Rudy Gay could make for a worthwhile addition for the struggling Cs bench mob: Instead, it could be finding a bench capable of maintaining at least a decent scoring pace while the starters are on the pine. Besides, many feel that another blockbuster isn’t the answer anyway. Stevens may not have the ammunition to pull off another major blockbuster if he isn’t willing to part with long-time rotation members, 2021 All-Star Jaylen Brown and 2X All-Defensive First Team member Marcus Smart, in a deal. Of course, around these parts, that’s been the focus since the Boston Celtics were on the receiving end of a five-game beatdown at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets this past May/June.Īfter the new President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens dealt away the C’s first-round draft selection (#16) in the 2021 NBA Draft to get off of Kemba Walker’s contract, the focus has narrowed to solely the trade market and free agency. With the Milwaukee Bucks taking home the 2020-21 NBA Championship, the focus is now 100% on next season around the league. By Andrew Hughes 10 months ago Follow Tweet