San Antonio is set to enjoy significant flexibility next summer when LaMarcus Aldridge can opt out of his contract and Tony Parker’s current deal ends. In Sacramento, though, the Kings played better with him on the court in each of the last three seasons and he led the team with a +1.7 net rating last year.įinally, the Spurs seem to have settled into viewing 2017-18 as a transition year after missing out on Chris Paul and other high-profile potential difference-makers via trade or free-agent signing. An athletic wing with a smooth stroke and two FIBA gold medals to his name, Gay has long battled a reputation for empty stats and middling advanced numbers. Gay (18.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.8 APG) hasn’t advanced to the postseason since 2012, and his departures from Memphis and Toronto coincided with upticks in play from his former teams. 18, turned down a $14 million option to remain with the Kings after spending three-plus seasons in Sacramento.Īt first blush, this deal makes for an odd couple arrangement between an organization known for its consistent winning and a player known for the opposite. Of note, Gay, who suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on Jan. The agreement, which required San Antonio’s mid-level exception, includes a player option for the 2018-19 season.
The Spurs signed Gay, 30, to a two-year contract worth a reported $17.2 million on Thursday. It’s imperative the coaching staff and board get it right.Rudy Gay’s 12th NBA season just might produce his first trip to the second round of the playoffs. NBA success is built during the offseason and titles are won and lost on the tightest of margins. One player allowed to leave when he should’ve stayed could come back to haunt them. One wrong signing could have a lasting effect. Moves made at this point of the year will have a huge impact on how the team performs. How do you solve a problem like Rudy Gay ? That’s something San Antonio wants to know the answer to and they must solve the puzzle quickly. One question in particular continues to burn in the mind. The offseason will be a transitional one for the club and there are some big decisions they must get right. While fans of rival teams pick through the top NBA betting sites, eager to back their side in the latter stages, Spurs supporters must look to the future. Will Spurs ever win an NBA Championship again and take their tally to six? They last got their hands on the grand prize in 2014 and that is far too long of a gap in the eyes of those loyal to the team in black and silver. They have won 22 divisional titles, six conference titles and an impressive five championships but the drought has been going on since 2017. The team’s wait for a return to the NBA’s head table rumbles on. It’s fair to say the season didn’t go as expected for San Antonio Spurs fans or, at least, it didn’t go as they had hoped. “San Antonio Spurs” by Ashley Landis/USATODAY is licensed under CC BY 3.0