NBA Rumor: Mavs Linked to Rudy Gay After Thunder Cut

After being released by the Thunder, Rudy Gay is reportedly expected to draw interest from the Mavs among other possible free agency suitors.

DALLAS — As the Dallas Mavericks continue to survey options to add talent to the supporting cast around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, there is a clear priority to add another option to the wing rotation. 

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Mavs are among several teams expected to show interest in signing Rudy Gay after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Other potential suitors include the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and New Orleans Pelicans.

"Veteran forward Rudy Gay is expected to draw interest from several playoff-caliber teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, and New Orleans Pelicans, league sources told HoopsHype."

Gay played 56 games with the Utah Jazz in 2022-23, averaging 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 14.6 minutes per game. He shot just 38.0 percent form the floor and 25.4 percent from 3-point range. 

Gay will be 37 in mid-August and was not a member of the team's playoff rotation during the 2022 playoffs when the Jazz were eliminated by the Mavs in the first round. He is primarily a four at this stage of his NBA career.

The Mavs entered the offseason needing to add more size on the wing after including Dorian Finney-Smith in the midseason trade to acquire Irving from the Brooklyn Nets. The team had deployed Reggie Bullock at the four more frequently, who has a lighter frame. Often playing undersized options around Doncic and Irving, the defense suffered worse than it already had prior to moving Finney-Smith. 

After adding Grant Williams and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, the Mavs have added bigger framed options to play the four. Other recently linked big wings to the Mavs include Derrick Jones Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr., which were also reported by Scotto.

Reggie Bullock, who was moved in part of the three-team sign-and-trade to acquire Williams, was often deployed as the on-ball defender for quicker guard matchups. At the three spot, there will be an opportunity for Josh Green to expand his impact. However, adding another option that can contain quicker guards and can effectively navigate screens could help.

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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