Rudy Gay‘s season in Sacramento ended abruptly last season due to a torn left Achilles tendon. After declining his $14.2MM option for 2017/18, Gay signed a two-year pact with the Spurs looking to reestablish himself. Early indicators for the 31-year-old are positive, Tom Osborn of San Antonio-Express News writes.
“I think he’s going to be great,” guard Danny Green said to Osborn. “He’s going to give us that versatility of playing four smalls (because) he can play inside and out and guard bigs. Once he gets into shape and gets comfortable with that Achilles, I think he’ll be great for us.”
Gay has a career average of 18.4 PPG in 11 NBA seasons. If he can regain his pre-injury form for the Spurs, San Antonio will have another productive scorer in their lineup. A scorer that Green compared to Kevin Durant due to his ability to quickly shoot the ball.
Below are additional news tidbits around the Southwest Division:
- The Mavericks view their first-round pick, Dennis Smith Jr., as their guard of the future but taking on the lead in the backcourt may be too much in his rookie season. Eddie Sefko of Dallas Morning News writes that coach Rick Carlisle will rotate Seth Curry, Yogi Ferrell, and J.J. Barea alongside Smith in the backcourt.
- Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com writes a similar story, noting that Carlisle is considering having two point guards in the backcourt at times to play at a quicker pace.
- NOLA.com’s William Guillory hosted his latest mailbag, most notably answering one question about the Pelicans’ end of the game lineup will include Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday.
- Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal writes that Grizzlies coach David Fizdale was unhappy with the team after a recent practice. Fizdale now wants to implement a style where the team plays at an increased pace.
Go ahead Fiz, yell at Gasol for his rebounding, and make everyone play at a style they’re NOT best at. Well everyone but Conley & Green, but they got paid.