Toronto Raptors star to be the centerpiece in multi-player deal.
Rudy Gay will be traded to the Sacramento Kings from the Toronto Raptors in the near future, as both sides look to make moves for their future.
Three names that have been a significant part of the trade discussion are Sacramento point guard Greivis Vásquez and forwards Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes, but it was still unclear which Kings players would be going to the Raptors.
Gay will not play in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign he is already half-way to pulling on a Kings’ jersey.
Toronto general manager Masai Ujiri has abandoned the fleeting possibility of chasing a playoff berth with these Raptors and has accelerated his desire to move into a full rebuilding mode.
The Raptors and Gay had become increasingly unhappy with each other, league sources said, and Gay’s contract was an obstacle to the franchise’s desire to begin the rebuilding process.
Gay is making $17.8 million this year, and holds a player option for $19.3 million for the 2014-15 season. Almost assuredly, Gay will exercise the option and take that salary next season.
Ujiri is in his first full season running the Raptors. The possibility of Toronto getting into the high lottery for the star-packed 2014 NBA Draft is important, especially with the possibility of selecting Toronto-native Andrew Wiggins of Kansas. Toronto has lost five straight games, and dropped to 6-12 in the Eastern Conference.
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