2017 Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Small Forwards

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Nov 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) takes a shot in the second quarter as Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) defends at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

Per Game Table
Season	Age	Tm	G	MP	FG%	3P%	eFG%	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PTS
2016-17	30	SAC	30	33.8	.455	.372	.502	.855	6.3	2.8	1.5	0.9	2.5	18.7
Career			753	35.6	.452	.345	.486	.796	5.9	2.3	1.3	0.8	2.4	18.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/27/2017.

For a long time, Orlando Magic fans frequently mentioned Rudy Gay as a potential option to fill the gap of that primary scorer. Whether it be via trade or free agency, his ability to score has always enticed the fan base.

Although it may be a long shot, Gay is still an under-the-radar option for the Magic. The team desperately needs a player who can score.

Throughout his 11-year career, Gay has been a part of many different teams and has always been able to provide a scoring punch. On a struggling Sacramento Kings team last year, he averaged 18.7 points per game and shot 45 percent from the floor.

Then Gay tore his Achilles in January. His availability for the start of the season is in doubt as is his effectiveness once he returns. Signing Gay is a bit of a long-term move and will take some patience and some support to get the most of him.

And even when healthy, Gay is probably not a player teams should rely on heavily anymore.

If Orlando were to snag him, it might mean a player would be on the move to make room. A trade is not a crazy thought as the Magic have plenty of movable pieces. Gay could slide into a starting role just for his offensive game alone.

Orlando needs a player that they can rely on to score points every night. There is no question that Gay can be that guy. He has been for his entire career and even though his game has flaws, he would be Orlando’s best scoring option in years.

There is certainly a good chance that Gay will be leaving Sacramento. The Kings are trying to start over after trading DeMarcus Cousins and Gay is unlikely to be a part of their future. Especially considering he opted out of the final year of his five-year, $82.3 million contract with the Kings.