New York Knicks: Potential trade targets to fix defensive issues

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

• Position: Small Forward
• Age: 30 (08/17/1986)
• Height, Weight: 6’8″ , 230 lbs.
• Career Averages: 35.6 minutes, 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals
• Career Slash Line: .452/.344/.795

You might be scratching your head at this one. The Knicks are set at small forward, and Rudy Gay has a player option for next season of over $14 million.

Think about it this way: Gay is a better defender than Anthony and capable of guarding both forward positions.

https://youtu.be/Gw3nd7vbXhU

A small ball lineup of Rose, Lee, Gay, Anthony, and Porzingis will be lethal from the perimeter and deadly in transition. When it comes to defense and rebounding, they shouldn’t have the same struggles as other small lineups.

Gay and Anthony are both good rebounders for their position, and Lee is one of the better perimeter defenders in the league.

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Of course, all of this speculation means nothing if Gay isn’t willing to sacrifice some individual production and come off the bench. He might not be that kind of guy.

The former Memphis Grizzly has made it clear that he wants out of Sacramento however. But how bad does he want it?

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