Rumor: Heat, Kings discussed trade involving Dragic, Gay

The Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings have engaged in trade talks that could fill major needs for both teams.

Basketball Insiders is reporting that the Miami Heat have discussed a trade with the Sacramento Kings centered around Goran Dragic and Rudy Gay.

Kings point guard Darren Collison would also be a part of the rumored deal.

"“Sacramento has to trade Gay,” an Eastern Conference executive told Basketball Insiders. “He’s already informed them he doesn’t like it there. They can’t let him walk for nothing.”Gay can become an unrestricted free agent after this season since he has a $14,263,566 player option for next season. With that in mind, sources indicated that the Kings are ideally looking for a starting-caliber point guard in any trade proposal involving Gay."

Previously, ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported that the two teams have engaged in vague trade talks, so the connection here makes sense.

Gay has a player option for $14 million next season and, if he’s indeed made it clear that he won’t be returning to the Kings, it makes sense for them to trade him and get something in return.

For the Heat, they could be looking to fill the void left by Chris Bosh. Gay is a natural small forward but can play the 4, especially next to Hassan Whiteside in Miami’s pace and space scheme.

There is also a side incentive for the Heat to make a trade like this if they are looking to tank and/or create additional cap space next summer. Dragic is guaranteed $51 million over the next three seasons. By trading him, Miami could get out from under that deal in order to fund their rebuild.

If Gay were to opt out, that would save Miami an additional $14 million. With the uncertainty regarding Bosh’s contract, that money could be even more valuable.

Overall, it makes sense if the Heat are trying to rebuild. With Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson and Dion Waiters (not to mention Briante Weber), Miami has young guards who can take over the point position. Getting the expiring contract of Collison and potentially Gay would help them create space financially and playing time for its young guards.

The Heat would probably need something extra in return though (cap space alone isn’t enough in return for a starting caliber point guard). The Kings can’t trade a first round pick due to the Stepien Rule, but they could include one of their two first round picks from this last draft–Skal Labissiere, a forward/center from Kentucky, or George Papagiannis, a center from Europe.

Again, though: If they are trying to go under a full rebuild. That’s a big if. As far a straight forward Gay for Dragic one-for-one, though, it makes less sense. Gay has a reputation for being a ball stopper, something that may not jive with a team looking to move the ball more this season.