Rudy Gay is paid an enormous salary- about 19 million-and in that respect he's been considered one of, if not the most overpaid guy in the NBA for multiple seasons now.
He was overpaid because he never turned into that next level superstar that Memphis had hoped he would be one day- although an understandable bet at the time.
In his second season he averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists a game and he was touted as one of the next NBA superstars...
But he never really went to the next level, perhaps never needing to reach that level on a Memphis team that touted Gay, Marc Gasol and Zac Randolph as a brutal force in the Western Conference.
Only half a season after signing his huge extension with Memphis, his field goal percentage peaked at 47% and he was still good for his 20 points 6 rebounds on a team with two other All Star caliber talented big men.
But as his role shrunk, so did his FG% and with two towers in the middle hounding the paint for rebounds and an offense that revolved so heavily on an inside outside system, Gay became one of the only half-reliable perimeter players who Lionel Hollins could put out on the three point line to stretch opposing defenses with his Randolph-Gasol big man duo.
After injuring his knee, missing what seemed to be the Grizzlies best ever chance at a title- his field goal percentage dropped all the way down through 43%,42% and 40% from the field before the Grizzlies realized their offense didn't fit Mr Gay's 'ball dominant wing' skillset and his salary was better used on finding multiple 3 point shooters and defensive specialists for Zeebo and Gasol to dish out to....and traded him to Toronto.
In Toronto he continued sponsoring his 'chucker' reputation/legacy and shot a gastly 33% from three point land and 42% from the field. On his way out of Toronto he shot a career low 38% from the field although his three point shooting has improved to 37.5%.
Then came the Kings.
Last season he averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal on 48% shooting (54% from 2p fg% and a disappointing 31% from the three point line.)
When his contract is up, and he's still shooting a similar percentage I'll be really interested to see who throws a reasonable multi year deal at him.
What do you guys think he'll command?
Considering Jeff Green just came off a 17 point, 4.5 rebound, 1.5 assist season shooting 41%FG and 34% from three and he's considered reasonable/fair value at $9 million- is Rudy Gay looking at something like Rondo's current deal? ie 4 years 44-48 million a year? Or will the salary cap changes get him something closer to his current deal like $15-$16 million a season?
I'd think he's really good value at the $11-$12.5 million per season range under the soon to be monster salary cap changes.