The Sixer Sense
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Rudy Gay a Low-Risk, Medium-Reward FA Option For Philadelphia 76ers

By Rusty Gorelick

Jan 10, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) after a play against the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Detroit Pistons 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) after a play against the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Detroit Pistons 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers need experienced players that can contribute. The recovering Rudy Gay could provide just that at a decent price.

Rudy Gay has quietly had a really solid career. The only season of his professional career where he averaged less than 17 points per game was his rookie year, and since he’s a free agent who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, he could provide instant offense off the Philadelphia 76ers’ bench in 2017/18.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

With players like Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Robert Covington expected to do the heavy lifting on the wings in the starting lineup, Brett Brown needs to add depth behind those standout players. Nik Stauskas should be looking to be one the main scoring options in the second unit, but the other wing spot is up for grabs. Justin Anderson rarely, if ever, showed he was worth trading Nerlens Noel away, while Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot‘s skill set is still quite raw, and Gerald Henderson probably will not be re-signed after his 1-year deal expires.

Rudy Gay is the man who should replace Henderson, and if his recovery goes well, he will prove to be an upgrade. In his best ever season, which was five seasons ago in Charlotte, Henderson averaged15.5 points per game, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Just last season, Gay surpassed two of those marks, putting up 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and equalling Henderson’s assist average.

Since Gay is recovering from such a bad injury, he should be available at a reasonable price, even by today’s market standards. As a 28-year-old, Wesley Matthews, who was recovering from the same injury Gay is battling, signed with the Dallas Mavericks for 4-years and $70 million, but since Gay is already 30, he should only be asking for a 1-year deal for a lot less money. Additionally, Matthews was coming off a career year by his standards, whereas Gay put up average numbers by his standards.

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Another reason why Gay would be a great addition to the Philadelphia 76ers is his 3-point shooting. He hit 37.2 percent of his shots from behind the arc last year. Due to his injury coming at this point in his career, the veteran small forward will probably have to redefine his game, which should see him become more of a shooter and less of a slasher. Wings on the 76ers roster at the moment are not strong 3-point shooters, but having Gay available off the bench will give Brett Brown’s offense another threat.

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As long as Gay’s contract demands are not insane, Bryan Colangelo should consider adding him once free agency begins. He was quietly one of the league’s best small forwards in his prime, and his experience as both a role player and an offensive focal point should make him ready to buy into The Process and help the younger players on the team as they develop into NBA stars. In the best case scenario, Rudy Gay could the Philadelphia 76ers’ version of Joe Johnson: a former superstar who goes back to his prime playing level when the team needs it most. Worse case scenario, Gay is another Andrew Bynum, but with less money and assets invested in him. Basically, as long as the price is right, then Gay could be a success in Philly without risk of him being a Bynum-level atrocity.