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San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Gay to opt out of contract, become free agent

By Rob Wolkenbrod

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball from the free-throw line during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 27, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball from the free-throw line during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 27, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Rudy Gay will opt out of his contract with the San Antonio Spurs and hit free agency.

Entering the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs had three players with players options for the 2018-19 season: Danny Green, Joffrey Lauvergne and Rudy Gay. Four other players, headlined by Tony Parker, can hit the open market this summer.

Well, at least one of these players decided on their respective fate. According to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com, Gay will opt out of his contract for the 2018-19 season and become a free agent. He would have made $8.8 million.

Gay joined the Spurs in 2017 as an unrestricted free agent. It was six months after suffering a torn Achilles with the Sacramento Kings, which took him out for most of the 2016-17 campaign. He signed a two-year, $17 million deal that included a player option for next season, which felt, like, a“prove-it” deal at the time.

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After 57 games played (two months missed due to a heel injury), Gay averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 21.6 minutes per game. It was part of the smallest role of his career, with a sixth man role off the bench for the Spurs.

Originally, Gay looked to be the backup to Kawhi Leonard and potentially work together in small ball lineups. With the latter’s quadriceps injury, that cost him all but nine games, this never happened.

It’s unknown if the Spurs will try to re-sign Gay, but the opt-out could indicate his desire to land a more lucrative contract, especially at age 31. Maybe, it’s the last chance for him to receive a multi-year deal, whether it’s from the Silver and Black or someone else, and even find a starting role on another team,

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Gay at least solved one part of San Antonio’s offseason equation. Danny Green remains in the balance, while Joffrey Lauvergne is expected to decline his own option and seek employment overseas. With each move, it seems this roster will appear quite different next fall.

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