The Atlanta Hawks could consider exploring a trade for Rudy Gay at the expense of the team's forward Paul Millsap.
The Hawks could opt to add a dependable isolation option at the wing to help improve the team's offense down the stretch. After a strong start to the season, the Hawks have found themselves scrambling to hit the winning column, with the team on an eight-game losing skid.
Part of Atlanta's early season struggles is the lack of reliable scorers who can create their own shots and flourish on isolations plays. Rudy Gay's offensive versatility would instantly address that need, giving the Hawks a go-to-guy when the game is on the line.
Rocky Robertson of Sports Illustrated's Fansided explored a trade scenario the Hawks could consider to acquire Gay. In the proposed deal, the Hawks would send Paul Millsap and two future first-rounders to the Sacramento Kings for Rudy Gay, Ben McLemore and some future draft picks in 2018 and 2020.
Trading Millsap would allow the Hawks to clear cap space for next summer, while getting valuable talent in return. Gay, who has expressed his intentions of exploring free agency next year and still wants out of Sacramento, could also be a one-year rental, but his $14 million annually would put Atlanta right around the cap and position them with better options come summer of 2017.
On the other hand, the Kings would want to make such trade because of the multiple draft picks involved. The Kings are probably on course for another disappointing season, with the team at the bottom half of the standings. Acquiring picks would help Sacramento rebuild and Millsap's expiring contract provides cap flexibility to chase after top free agents.
A frontcourt tandem of Millsap and DeMarcus Cousins could also change the atmosphere of the Kings' dysfunctional trend. The team has failed to surround Cousins with an All-Star caliber talent in the offseason, but adding Millsap would make for the Kings' shortcomings and could likely keep Boogie pleased.
It is too early for the Hawks to press the panic button at this point, but Gay seems a viable option the team could consider before the February deadline.
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