Sacramento Kings star Rudy Gay reportedly agreed to a three-year extension on Monday with the team. With Sacramento sitting at 6-4, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders broke down why the Kings are playing better than expected.
It looks like Gay won't be testing free agency in July after all. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Gay and the Kings agreed to a three-year extension worth $40 million.
"The extension begins with the 2015-16 season, and includes a player option for the 2017-18 season, sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote Monday. "The ability to exit the deal early gives Gay a chance to become a free agent in the summer of 2017, when he'll be 31 (years old) and the market will be flush with the proceeds of the new $24 billion television package."
Gay is averaging 22.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season. Sacramento locking down Gay for at least the next two years is one example of why Sacramento, according to Kyler, is playing better than expected this season: the front office is focused on creating stability for the roster.
"Why have the kings worked - first, some stability. They have a second year in the system, their core guys are locked in, and there is continuity and chemistry," Kyler wrote Monday. "I think the Kings have had talent for years, but I also think that talent has finally grown up a little.
"As for Rudy Gay - he's comfortable. There are some players that can play in any situation. Roll the ball out. Rudy needs to be comfortable. It helps that he is playing off a great NBA big man in DeMarcus Cousins, but the better thing is he is comfortable."
Kyler also indicated Sacramento could be active before the February trade deadline, depending on where the team is at in the New Year.
"As for what comes next - they have a lot of pieces they don't need," he wrote. "I think they'll re-evaluate where they are in January. They have told guys they are not making changes and I think that helps."
