Nov 29, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Rudy Gay (22) carries the ball past Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) at the Air Canada Centre. Miami defeated Toronto 90-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The news recently broke that the Toronto Raptors are looking to move Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings and the talks are progressing quickly. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the deal is practically done and Gay will be pulling out of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rudy Gay is headed to the Kings, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. He has been pulled out of the Raptors lineup for tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 9, 2013
Sacramento will send John Salmons, Vasquez, Patterson and Hayes to the Raptors, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 9, 2013
According to Wojnarowski the players that are headed in the other direction are John Salmons, Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes.
This is not as terrible of a deal as initially expected for the Kings. They did not give up some of their best trade assets in Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette and instead unloaded a lot of dead weight, especially in Hayes and Salmons. Vasquez is the best player heading to Toronto and will probably be battling with Kyle Lowry for minutes at the point guard slot. Patterson is also a relatively good player that should be able to make the Raptors’ rotation.
Obviously the Kings acquire a crippling Rudy Gay contract and it remains to be seen how an inefficient volume shooter fits with DeMarcus Cousins. Marc J. Spears reports that the Kings intend to use Gay as a stretch forward and play him and Derrick Williams together. Good luck with that.
UPDATE:
Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray are also heading to the Kings as part of the trade, according to Yahoo.