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Golden State Warriors Potential Free Agent Targets: Rudy Gay

By Andrew Ites

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 22: Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 22: Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Warriors need to find some depth on the wing this offseason, and Rudy Gay would definitely be able to fill that role.

The Warriors’ bench is expected to look much different next year after a fairly disappointing performance from that rotation in 2017-18.

Unfortunately, Golden State doesn’t have a ton of resources to spend this offseason to make that happen.

They have the taxpayer mid-level exception available to them, which will be worth about $5.3 million next year according to Real GM, but outside of that they will be forced to find players on minimum contracts.

One free agent the Warriors could look to spend that mid-level exception on is Rudy Gay.

Gay played under the mid-level exception with the Spurs last season, which was worth about $8.4 million per year, and he recently declined his player option that would’ve kept him in San Antonio in 2018-19.

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It’s unclear whether Gay is looking for a big payday in free agency, or whether he wants to join a serious championship contender to win his first ring.

If it’s the latter, Golden State would be a perfect fit for Rudy Gay.

Gay didn’t put up tremendous numbers with the Spurs last year, but he was working his way back from an Achilles injury that ended his season in 2016-17.

Gay finally started to look like himself near the end of the season where he averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds per game with a true shooting percentage of 59% in April. With another offseason to get back into form, Gay should be a better player in 2018-19 than he was last season.

Rudy Gay isn’t a high-volume three point shooter, but he’s hit 34.3% of his shots from deep during his career including 37.2% in 2016-17.

Gay became a solid defender last year in San Antonio, and his shot creation could give the Warriors a spark off of the bench.

Next: Should the Warriors Pursue Trevor Ariza in Free Agency?

Golden State would probably like to find a better outside shooter than Gay this offseason, but he is one of the best options available for a Warriors team that may not be able to be very picky in free agency.

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