Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay knows about trade speculation, but he's more focused on what's in front of him rather than what might be around the corner.
Gay, who averaged 17.2 points last season, said last month that he was planning to decline his 2017-18 player option, so he can be a free agent on July 1. He also told the team he wouldn't mind a move out of Sacramento, which rekindled trade speculation that also popped up in July.
"I wake up every day and get ready to play the next game," Gay told reporters Wednesday. "I'm with the Sacramento Kings. I prepare as if I'm going to be with the Sacramento Kings. I have no choice but to work for the Sacramento Kings. All the speculation is B.S. Really, it's out of my control. I'll come here and be with my teammates and act as if I'll be here all year.
"I hear it. I've been traded before. If I came here as if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't help my teammates. That's a league thing. That's not just me. That's something you don't want a reputation for."
Coach Dave Joerger also downplayed the rumors.
"He's a wonderful human being who's grown as a player and a leader. He likes it here," the coach said of Gay. "We all want to win a little bit more. There's going to be rumors. Guys in the last year of contracts, guys 6-8 who can do the things he does [on the court]."
