A look at Rudy Gay as the Hawks' starting PF

[atlantabbq99]

Greg Monroe would be the obvious plan B for the Hawks if Millsap leaves, but Rudy Gay could also be looked at to fill a possible Millsap departure.

Rudy is listed as a SF but because of personnel problems and small ball, he has played alot of minutes as a PF with Omri Casspi, and Belinelli playing SF. He has also was the primary PF for Coach K on Team USA ( http://www.nba.com/kings/blog/rudy-ready-represent-usa/ )

Rudy has the offensive punch to replace Millsap's production. He has the 3pt range that Budz likes in his PF. He also has the speed and length that fits well with Budz system or euro-ball

On defense, he should be able to do well with Dwight backing him up. And i only see mismatch problems for Rudy when it comes to Griffin and Davis, but Millsap also problems with those two anyway.

Monroe's passing ability would be interesting to see in Budz system, but on the other hand, Monroe had a hard time playing PF next to Drummond, so he also might struggle to play along side Dwight. The major criticism Detroit fans had with Monroe, is that they said Monroe is a center and not a PF, and that is why he struggles. Rudy's speed, length, shooting, and ability to create would also be interesting to watch in Budz system.

I think Rudy could be a poor man's Carmelo with the Hawks. Carmelo was a SF in Denver, but then transitioned to PF with New York with no loss in efficiency, and I think Rudy can do the same.

But with that said, for me, it all comes down to contract. Between Rudy Gay and Greg Monroe, I would just take the guy with the most reasonable contract.

[MaceCase]

He suffered an achilles injury in January and as a soon to be 31 year old that's primarily dependent on his athleticism I don't think that's a good thing. Without the athleticism I don't see him thriving much against SFs and the lack of bulk will put him at a disadvantage against PFs.

I can understand why he opted out as a last ditch effort to secure a long-term deal because even if healthy I doubt the Kings will feature him much with their youth movement but he'll be hard pressed to find a starting job anywhere in free agency. Maybe a contender or wannabe team takes him on as a bench reserve but he'll be hard pressed to find a lucrative deal in that situation either.

[atlantabbq99]

He suffered an achilles injury in January and as a soon to be 31 year old that's primarily dependent on his athleticism I don't think that's a good thing. Without the athleticism I don't see him thriving much against SFs and the lack of bulk will put him at a disadvantage against PFs.

I can understand why he opted out as a last ditch effort to secure a long-term deal because even if healthy I doubt the Kings will feature him much with their youth movement but he'll be hard pressed to find a starting job anywhere in free agency. Maybe a contender or wannabe team takes him on as a bench reserve but he'll be hard pressed to find a lucrative deal in that situation either.

I'm actually ok with the injury (and age) because that will just lower down his price. Like i said before, my number one concern is price. Between Rudy and Monroe, i would rather just get the cheapest guy on a 1-2 year contract, who ever can fill in for Millsap in the short term.

[MaceCase]

He suffered an achilles injury in January and as a soon to be 31 year old that's primarily dependent on his athleticism I don't think that's a good thing. Without the athleticism I don't see him thriving much against SFs and the lack of bulk will put him at a disadvantage against PFs.

I can understand why he opted out as a last ditch effort to secure a long-term deal because even if healthy I doubt the Kings will feature him much with their youth movement but he'll be hard pressed to find a starting job anywhere in free agency. Maybe a contender or wannabe team takes him on as a bench reserve but he'll be hard pressed to find a lucrative deal in that situation either.

I'm actually ok with the injury (and age) because that will just lower down his price. Like i said before, my number one concern is price. Between Rudy and Monroe, i would rather just get the cheapest guy on a 1-2 year contract, who ever can fill in for Millsap in the short term.

You're talking about his injury lowering his price but then not factoring it into affecting his offensive ability when they are one and the same.

Monroe cannot play with Dwight, Hawks cannot have two big men unable and unwilling to defend the pick and roll in today's NBA and the team struggled keeping Dwight alone in the lineup due to the lack of shooting on the roster. The two together would absolutely ruin Dennis' drive game as well.

[atlantabbq99]

He suffered an achilles injury in January and as a soon to be 31 year old that's primarily dependent on his athleticism I don't think that's a good thing. Without the athleticism I don't see him thriving much against SFs and the lack of bulk will put him at a disadvantage against PFs.

I can understand why he opted out as a last ditch effort to secure a long-term deal because even if healthy I doubt the Kings will feature him much with their youth movement but he'll be hard pressed to find a starting job anywhere in free agency. Maybe a contender or wannabe team takes him on as a bench reserve but he'll be hard pressed to find a lucrative deal in that situation either.

I'm actually ok with the injury (and age) because that will just lower down his price. Like i said before, my number one concern is price. Between Rudy and Monroe, i would rather just get the cheapest guy on a 1-2 year contract, who ever can fill in for Millsap in the short term.

You're talking about his injury lowering his price but then not factoring it into affecting his offensive ability when they are one and the same.

Monroe cannot play with Dwight, Hawks cannot have two big men unable and unwilling to defend the pick and roll in today's NBA and the team struggled keeping Dwight alone in the lineup due to the lack of shooting on the roster. The two together would absolutely ruin Dennis' drive game as well.

Unlike you i care about price and not wasting cap space. I wouldn't want to over pay somebody now in 2017. I would rather get a guy who can fill in for 1-2 years and not screw up the Hawks in getting a free agent in 2018 and 2019.

Your idea is just as bad as maxing Joe Johnson years ago and ruining the Hawks' future.

[reazun]

I'm actually ok with the injury (and age) because that will just lower down his price. Like i said before, my number one concern is price. Between Rudy and Monroe, i would rather just get the cheapest guy on a 1-2 year contract, who ever can fill in for Millsap in the short term.

You're talking about his injury lowering his price but then not factoring it into affecting his offensive ability when they are one and the same.

Monroe cannot play with Dwight, Hawks cannot have two big men unable and unwilling to defend the pick and roll in today's NBA and the team struggled keeping Dwight alone in the lineup due to the lack of shooting on the roster. The two together would absolutely ruin Dennis' drive game as well.

Unlike you i care about price and not wasting cap space. I wouldn't want to over pay somebody now in 2017. I would rather get a guy who can fill in for 1-2 years and not screw up the Hawks in getting a free agent in 2018 and 2019.

Your idea is just as bad as maxing Joe Johnson years ago and ruining the Hawks' future.

both of yall make good point imo. I agree with MaceCase though. If Gay turns out to be a bust, we may have gotten him cheap, but we also miss the playoffs..Then great FAs will not come here..They wont come to a team that saves money and is not trying to compete. So we may have saved some money for a great FA later, but they will go to another team with a team that can help them win. Also..why save money? are you waiting for a better class of Free Agents? b/c this offseason is pretty stacked.

[reazun]

You're talking about his injury lowering his price but then not factoring it into affecting his offensive ability when they are one and the same.

Monroe cannot play with Dwight, Hawks cannot have two big men unable and unwilling to defend the pick and roll in today's NBA and the team struggled keeping Dwight alone in the lineup due to the lack of shooting on the roster. The two together would absolutely ruin Dennis' drive game as well.

Unlike you i care about price and not wasting cap space. I wouldn't want to over pay somebody now in 2017. I would rather get a guy who can fill in for 1-2 years and not screw up the Hawks in getting a free agent in 2018 and 2019.

Your idea is just as bad as maxing Joe Johnson years ago and ruining the Hawks' future.

both of yall make good point imo. I agree with MaceCase though. If Gay turns out to be a bust, we may have gotten him cheap, but we also miss the playoffs..Consequently, it will be much harder to get FAs to sign here..They wont come to a team that saves money and is not trying to compete. So we may have saved some money for a great FA later, but they will go to another team with a team that can help them win. Also..why save money? are you waiting for a better class of Free Agents? b/c this offseason is pretty stacked.

[MaceCase]

Unlike you i care about price and not wasting cap space. I wouldn't want to over pay somebody now in 2017. I would rather get a guy who can fill in for 1-2 years and not screw up the Hawks in getting a free agent in 2018 and 2019.

Your idea is just as bad as maxing Joe Johnson years ago and ruining the Hawks' future.

Uhhhhhhhhhh whut?

You're talking about throwing money at damaged goods expecting them to be "Carmelo-lite" when they weren't even that when fully healthy. Both Gay and possibly, but especially, Monroe aren't opting out of 14 and 18 million respectively to sign for "cheap" and if they do it's because they can't give a fraction of the production you're hoping for making them a wasted signing. There's a whole crop of younger, healthier and cheaper options that would be better fits for the team and actually play the PF position than your suggestion. They were already discussed in the offseason thread. Rather roll the dice on them and see if they can develop into something more than waste any amount of money rehabbing a failed veteran retread on the company dime. THAT doesn't help the team in the present nor the future.

[jayu70]

I'll pass on Rudy Gay:
1. He's not going to come cheap
2. He's not going to come cheap

[atlantabbq99]

It looks like Rudy is going to be the PF for the Spurs now. I was right about how Rudy's game as a PF fits perfectly with Bud-ball or the Spurs system. It will be interesting to see Kawhi at the 3 and Rudy at the stretch 4 as they both use there speed running the floor

[Geaux_Hawks]

It looks like Rudy is going to be the PF for the Spurs now. I was right about how Rudy's game as a PF fits perfectly with Bud-ball or the Spurs system. It will be interesting to see Kawhi at the 3 and Rudy at the stretch 4 as they both use there speed running the floor

Oh, and he came cheap

[atlantabbq99]

It looks like Rudy is going to be the PF for the Spurs now. I was right about how Rudy's game as a PF fits perfectly with Bud-ball or the Spurs system. It will be interesting to see Kawhi at the 3 and Rudy at the stretch 4 as they both use there speed running the floor

Oh, and he came cheap

Just like I said he would too

[atlantabbq99]

I'll pass on Rudy Gay:
1. He's not going to come cheap
2. He's not going to come cheap

I think he would sign for $8 million per year on a short term deal

[macd-gm]

We don't want NBA - level talent. That will ruin the master plan of relevance in 3-10 years.