Rudy Gay – San Antonio Spurs
The addition of Rudy Gay not only gives the Miami Heat another consistent option on the wing, but it gives them a veteran leader who is more than capable of playing 20+ minutes per game and leading Miami’s second-unit. With 6 players averaging 10+ points per game this season, the Heat definitely have offensive weapons to be a championship contender once again, but they need to improve their overall depth given all of the injuries they have had.
Jae Crowder, even though the numbers may not say it, was a huge part of the Miami Heat’s run to the NBA Finals last season and without him, there seems to be a void at the forward position for the Heat. They have had to play small at times with Jimmy Butler playing the power-forward position, which is why they need Rudy Gay. The addition of Gay opens up the Heat’s offense a little more and allows Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to do what they do best offensively.
Rudy Gay is in the final year of his contract and is owed $14M this year, making this a little complicated for Miami in terms of how to get him on their roster. They could offer up either Kelly Olynyk or Andre Iguodala for Gay, the only questions are what would the Spurs want in return and if they are even willing to trade their veteran forward since they are currently in the playoff picture out West.
This is Rudy Gay’s 15th NBA season and for the 15th consecutive year, he is averaging double-digit scoring. Throughout the course of his career, the 34-year old forward has been a very consistent offensive threat and is exactly the kind of player the Miami Heat need in their second-unit.
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If this team is going to have any shot of making it back to the NBA Finals, they are going to have to improve their overall depth and add some more consistent scoring options, something they do not currently have. Jimmy Butler can only carry this team so far, which is why he will need help from some other experienced players who are more than capable of pulling their weight on the offensive end of the court.
Out of all the low-cost, high-reward players the Heat could target this season, Rudy Gay is definitely at the top of the list and is the best bench player they could add to their roster. He is a leader, a proven scorer and a veteran who is more than capable of pulling his weight on a championship caliber team.
