17-Year NBA Veteran Still Being Paid $6.5 Million By The Oklahoma City Thunder

Rudy Gay is still being paid by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mar 20, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay (22) goes to the basket against / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Rudy Gay most recently played in the NBA (last season) when he appeared in 56 games for the Utah Jazz.

The 17-year veteran averaged 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest while shooting 38.0% from the field and 25.4% from the three-point range.

Over the summer, Gay was traded twice and ultimately landed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who waived him. 

Since he was waived with his contract still guaranteed, the Thunder have been paying Gay $6.5 million for the 2023-24 NBA season (h/t Sam Yip of HoopsHype and Spotrac).

The Oklahoma City Thunder have waived Rudy Gay, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2023

Gay has never made an NBA All-Star Game, but was among the best players in the league during his prime years.

In addition to the Jazz, he has also spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

May 19, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (22) shoots a three-point / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

His career averages are 15.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.6% from the three-point range in 1,120 regular season games.

He has also appeared in 19 NBA playoff games with the Spurs and Grizzlies.

Rudy Gay can still soar. (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/y0oqqEyK4F

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 24, 2018

As for the Thunder, they have had an excellent season, and are the third seed in the Western Conference with a 53-25 record in 78 games.

They have gone 5-5 over their last ten games and most recently defeated the Charlotte Hornets by a score of 121-118 (in North Carolina).

On Tuesday evening, the Thunder will play their next game when they host the Sacramento Kings in Oklahoma City.