Still, it's no surprise he'd be a coveted hire. And there's been no indication Presti would be interested in running any other franchise. Internal discussions are the most preliminary of interest, and reports have suggested Ujiri is the Knicks' top candidate.
Presti has been the Thunder's general manager for the nine seasons the team has existed in Oklahoma City and served in that role for the Seattle SuperSonics in the team's final year before relocating to OKC. His story notes that Presti is under contract, and New York likely would have to send compensation to the Thunder in order to hire Presti. Presti and Toronto's Masai Ujiri are two names the Knicks' have talked about internally, Ian Begley reported. Thunder general manager Sam Presti is among the names being discussed in the New York Knicks' internal conversations as a candidate to replace team President Phil Jackson, according to an ESPN report. It could offer a mid-level exception for $8.4 million that won't impact its cap, but that might not be enough to sway Gay. The Thunder is over the salary cap, projected to be set at $99 million for 2017-18. In his career, Gay has averaged 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
He's been mostly healthy in Dallas, but has been a less effective player since the injury. In 2015, Wes Matthews signed a four-year, $70 million deal with the Mavericks coming off a ruptured Achilles. It's unclear what kind of price he'll command on the open market given the severity of his injury. He averaged 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 30 games.ĭespite that injury, Gay - who will turn 31 in August - opted out of the final year of his deal with the Kings, which was to pay him $14.2 million in 2017-18. Gay, meanwhile, suffered an Achilles tear in January and missed the rest of the season. Ultimately, trade talks dissolved, and Thunder point guard Cameron Payne - a player The Vertical reported was discussed as a potential trade piece - was sent to the Chicago Bulls as part of a deal that brought Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City reportedly was interested in trading for Gay last season when he played for the Sacramento Kings.
#RUDY GAY TRADE BULLS FREE#
NBA free agency opens anew late on Friday night.Īnd on Thursday, a familiar old name resurfaced for the Thunder.įree-agent forward Rudy Gay plans to meet with teams in Austin, Texas, this weekend, The Vertical reported Thursday, adding that the Thunder “continues to be a team who sees (a) fit.”