With all of the big moves that have been going on in the NBA offseason one may have fell under the radar.
That was when Rudy Gay opted out of a $14.2 million contract in Sacramento with the Kings for the 2016-17 season to accept $8.4 million in San Antonio with the Spurs.
As San Antonio often does, they made a great move that may have fallen short of stealing the headlines and adding Gay is a solid move for a franchise that looks to continue to contend in a stacked Western Conference.
In a phone interview with ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, Gay discussed his decision to join the Spurs, his rehab and more.
For those wondering about Gay’s recovery, he assured everyone that things are going smoothly.
“It’s great. I actually worked out today. I’m fully cleared to do everything. I’m fine now. The team, it has its own planning with me. But I’m ready to go. I’ll definitely be ready by camp.”
As far as his decision to join the Spurs, thus opting out of a much richer deal to remain in Sacramento with the Kings, Gay pointed to winning as a major component of his decision making process.
“Looking at my career, it’s just time to win” Gay said.
“That’s what it’s mostly about. I’ve been in this league for a little while now, and I haven’t gotten out of my career what I wanted. Coming to a place like San Antonio, it just seemed perfect for me.”
Gay is also confident in his ability to fit with San Antonio’s style of play.
“I’ve talked to [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich], and we’ve had a couple of conversations. My game is one thing. But when a team wants to sign you, and you sign with a team, they have their own vision for you. So obviously, I want to take my game to another level. And if anybody knows how to do that, it would be Gregg Popovich.”
While Gay’s role is unclear, he has spoke with Popovich about how he will fit into the roster.
“Yeah, we’ve talked [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich]. The game is changing a lot. It’s all about positional basketball” Gay said.
“The more guys that can play different positions, the better. So that’s pretty much it. There’s not too much to talk about. You have your teams like Golden State, Houston, who all have guys that are switchable. I think I can bring that to this team.”
For Spurs fans who may be wondering what they will be getting with Rudy Gay, he had the following to say.
“I pretty much can fit in anywhere” Gay explained.
“I don’t see myself as having a problem in that locker room. Strange is good, though. Strange just means people aren’t scared to show how they feel, what they want. Hopefully it’s not weird. Strange is not bad. Weird is crazy (laughing).
Maybe I can teach them some things.”
Gay also discussed his respect for Greg Popovich.
“Even before signing here, I had the utmost respect for him. I’ve heard such great things about him, with that being one of them. You want to play for somebody that you respect on the court and off the court. That’s a guy you’d want to go to battle for, a guy that’s not afraid to say how he feels on the basketball court or off the basketball court.”
Gay is excited for his tenure with the Spurs and is banking on the chance to compete for a title by stating his goal quite clearly.
“Win a championship.”