Rudy Gay's relationship with current team Sacramento Kings seems to be irreparable at the moment as he had been quite vocal in expressing his desire to leave them while the Kings have also publicly placed him on the trading block this summer.
Latest rumors are out that the 29-year-old small forward wants to join the Miami Heat next season, but a trade could be tricky as both NBA clubs would want to settle on a proper valuation of trade pieces for it to push through.
CBS Sports' Zach Harper indicated that "determining the proper value on a deal has been tough so far for (Kings vice president of basketball operations and general manager) Vlade Divac" as he aims to finally bring the squad through to the playoffs next season.
The report noted that Gay's $14.2 million player option in 2017-2018 remains to be the stumbling block for the Heat to accept any deal from the Kings at this point in time. The 10-year veteran is set to earn $13.3 million this coming season, but his option for the next one would be too risky for any team to take given his age and injury history.
Aside from that, Miami is also deficient of potential trade pieces to offer Sacramento, and Divac will definitely not approve any deal just for the sake of approving it.
In terms of salary matching, only Chris Bosh, Hassan Whiteside, or Goran Dragic could start a negotiation, but these three players are not going anywhere for at least the next five years.
Harper suggested that at this time a Josh McRoberts, Udonis Haslem, and Josh Richardson package could be suitable to trade for Gay, although Haslem is again another immovable piece for Heat president Pat Riley.
However, if Gay really wants to join the Heat, then he should just play out the 2016-2017 season and get his $13 million, opt out of his contract next summer, and accept a lesser salary from Miami to suit up for them in 2017-2018.
Fansided indicated that Gay to the Heat "doesn't seem likely" to happen anytime soon.
Divac may decide to be aggressive in dealing him this summer after his public tirade on the Kings, but a trade with Miami is not the most realistic thing to happen as of the moment.
