The Thunder stopped the bleeding last night and ended their four game losing streak by beating the Rockets 105-103 in Oklahoma City with what we now know as a typical super-human Russell Westbrook performance.
It is clear that the Thunder are in need of a secondary scorer. Someone who can pick up some of the offensive slack and create his own shot since Victor Oladipo has been a little underwhelming thus far.
This was basically confirmed Thursday morning as reports surfaced that the Thunder are still interested in pursuing Sacramento Kings small forward and pending free agent Rudy Gay.
Thunder reportedly interested in “bigger wings,” including Kings forward Rudy Gay https://t.co/rJ75o4Z3cE pic.twitter.com/RqpatUV425
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) November 17, 2016
Reports also suggest that Victor Oladipo would move to the bench in this scenario, which could actually benefit him and allow him to have more control of the offense in the moments that Russell Westbrook is on the floor.
The Thunder clearly want to stay in contention this season, and as pointed out by Thunder insider Royce Young, they are pushing to make a move now to add a little more scoring punch and talent to their roster, but their cap space is basically nothing after the Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo extensions this summer.
Re: Rudy Gay: The extensions for Oladipo and Adams makes OKC more likely to push for something, since 2017 cap space is toast.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) November 17, 2016
It is pretty clear that Rudy Gay wants out of Sacramento. The Kings appear to be headed for another rough season after an encouraging start and getting some value for Gay may be the move they need.
The Kings could definitely acquire young point guard Cameron Payne when he recovers from his foot injury as part of a deal along with Kyle Singler and some sort of protected future pick.
Don’t be surprised for these talks to heat up in the next few months as Payne returns and exhibits some value that a point guard starved Kings team may find appealing.
