With the Orlando Magic needing a star player to to give it an outlet to score, Rudy Gay seems to be the perfect trade target at the deadline.
It is hard to believe at one point the Magic were in control of their playoff destiny. Currently in 12th place in the East at 21-27, now they would just be glad to pick up a few more wins before the NBA trade deadline.
If the Magic want to clean up this losing, a trade may be in order. Not to say this roster is completely unfinished, but it could use some polishing at the very least. Certainly a player to tie the whole thing together.
One player that could change the Magic into a winning team, is Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Kings are looking to trade Rudy Gay. Sacramento is said to be seeking a quality young player in return if it parts with Gay. Or a player the Kings like with at least one year left on his contract after this season.
The Magic definitely have options to offer the Kings for this to work. For instance, with salaries capably matching up, the Magic can trade Tobias Harris and Evan Fournier for Rudy Gay and Seth Curry. The Kings, remember, reportedly offered Harris a max offer sheet he passed on to re-sign with the Magic.
Why does it work for Magic?
Well, Rudy Gay is the scorer Orlando needs. He is averaging 18.2 points per game, and is a more efficient 3-point shooter at 33.1 percent, rather than 31.5 percent like Harris.
The Magic sometimes are stuck on offense and when it comes to clutch time, they fizzle out. Gay would provide that go-to scoring they lack, while also pumping up the points when other Magic players are slumping.
Defensively and rebounding wise, they are about the same, which is great considering the Magic would not be losing out on anything.
However, Gay would provide the veteran experience Harris cannot, while still giving the team more offense.
Rudy Gay does not get the greatest feedback in the world, however. He has always been known as an All Star by talent, but with several flaws and empty stats. When he left both Memphis and Toronto, the teams got better when they lost him as a high-usage player — his 29.7 percent usage rate is usually only reserved for the very best players, not mid-range scorers
Although he is far from a perfect player, he still has a load of skill the Magic could use. He is definitely a different player from his Memphis days, so maybe Orlando is the perfect atmosphere for him to work in. In Orlando, he could be an unselfish leader with a young nucleus of hard working, energetic players.
But when the team needs to win, Gay is also the kind of player who can take over and carry the young team over the finish line.
For the Kings, the Magic have young pieces to acquire Gay and keep the Kings involved in the Playoff race.
Tobias Harris would be the young piece they want. Having just signed a four-year deal, at 23 years old he is a sure starter with plenty left to offer a team. Both the Magic and Kings were willing to make long-term commitments to him in the offseason.
However, Harris alone could not get this deal done. It would likely take another player to get the Kings to part with Gay. Likely another key player off the Magic’s bench.
Evan Fournier would probably be the cherry on top for Sacramento, because he is having a great year averaging 13.5 points and 1.3 steals a game. Fournier is in the last year of his contract anyway, so the Magic should not mind trading him at all, if they have no intention of signing him this offseason or if his market value has surpassed what the Magic are willing to pay.
It should be noted, there have not been any rumors saying the Magic want to trade Tobias Harris, neither have there been any that say they want Rudy Gay.
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However, no matter what, the Magic will be active on the phone during Trade Deadline. That goes the same for the Kings as they try to make their first Playoff berth in a decade. It is very possible these two teams bump into each other and land a deal.