Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay will opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, according to Marc Spears of ESPN.
Gay’s marriage with Sacramento was an unhappy one — he reportedly requested a trade from the Kings last July, which never came to fruition in part because of a ruptured Achilles tendon. Gay played just 30 games this season, averaging 20 points and 6.8 rebounds per 36 minutes on 45.5 percent shooting from the field.
Though Kings GM Vlade Divac said in April that he’d like to bring Gay back, it’s tough to see that happening. The relationship between the two parties is likely too rough for that to happen.
The question then becomes what Gay’s market value is. He was set to make $14.3 million next season before opting out. As he enters his 30s, it’s tough to see him making more, at least over a long-term deal.
Gay’s style of play — dribble-heavy isolations often ending in midrange jumpers — doesn’t go over well with many teams who prefer a pace-and-space style of basketball. Gay shot a solid 37.2 percent from three last season, a career-high mark, but struggles on the defensive end may still be too ball-dominant for many teams.