Sacramento Kings sign Rudy Gay to contract extension

The Sacramento Kings have signed veteran forward Rudy Gay to a multi-year contract extension, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

According to the Sacramento Bee, "Sunday, league sources confirmed the Kings and Gay have agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension through the 2017-18 season. The deal has a player option after two years that would allow Gay to become a free agent in July 2017, when many players will look to capitalize on the NBA’s increased TV revenue. That allows the small forward the chance to cash in one more time if he desires. The deal is also suitable financially for the Kings, who believed Gay could command at least $13 million annually as a free agent."

“I am very excited to announce that Rudy Gay will be a part of the Kings for the long term,” said Kings Owner Vivek Ranadivé. “He is an immensely talented player who is critical to our team on and off the court, and he is a significant reason why things are changing in Sacramento. Players as talented as Rudy have their choice on where to play. He is committed to making the Kings great again and we are committed to his success. I am looking forward to seeing a sea of No. 8 jerseys filling the seats of the new arena."

Currently playing in his ninth NBA season, Gay, 28, has accrued averages of 18.3 points (.450 FG%, .341 3pt%, .787 FT%), 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 35.9 minutes per game in 596 career contests (559 starts). He is one of only 18 players in NBA history to amass at least 10,000 points, 3,400 rebounds, 1,200 assists and 800 steals before his 29th birthday, joining NBA greats like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett with that achievement.

“I feel blessed to be in this situation,” said Gay. “I’m grateful for the confidence the Kings have shown in my abilities and appreciate the way Sacramento and its passionate fans have embraced me and my family from day one. The future is bright for this franchise, and I’m thrilled to play a role in helping the organization succeed on the court and in the community.”

“Ensuring Rudy will remain a member of the Kings family is tremendous news for our organization, our fans and the community as a whole,” said D’Alessandro. “This announcement also underscores an unwavering commitment by Vivek Ranadivé to continue building a team that will reestablish a winning tradition in Sacramento.”

This past summer, Gay joined teammate DeMarcus Cousins and helped guide the USA Men’s National Team to a gold medal in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Through 10 contests this season, he ranks 12th in the NBA in scoring, seventh in minutes played and 26th in free throw percentage.

Since Sacramento acquired the 6’8” forward in a trade with Toronto on Dec. 9, 2013, Gay has appeared in 66 games for the Kings, posting 20.4 points (.475 FG%, .314 3pt%, .842 FT%), 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals, including 38 contests with 20 or more points scored.